Swollen Face From a Tooth Infection: When Is It an Emergency?

A swollen cheek or jaw next to a painful tooth usually means an infection, often called a dental abscess. It won't go away on its own, and in rare cases it can spread quickly. Here's how to tell how urgent it is and what to do next.

Call a dentist today if you have

• Swelling in your gum, cheek or jaw near one tooth
• Throbbing pain, or pain when you bite down
• A small bump or "pimple" on your gum
• A bad taste or smell in your mouth
• A tooth that's suddenly sensitive to hot or cold

Even if the pain eases, the infection is usually still there. Pain sometimes stops because the nerve inside the tooth has died — while the infection keeps growing.

What causes a swollen face from a tooth?

• Tooth abscess. Deep decay or a crack lets bacteria reach the nerve, and pus builds up at the tip of the root.
• Gum abscess. An infection in a deep pocket between the tooth and gum, often linked to gum disease.
• Wisdom tooth infection. A partly erupted wisdom tooth traps food and bacteria under the gum.
• After dental work. Mild swelling for a few days after an extraction or surgery is normal. Swelling that gets worse after the third day should be checked.

What you can do until you're seen

• Hold a cold compress on the outside of your cheek — 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever exactly as directed on the label, if it's safe for you.
• Rinse gently with warm salt water (½ teaspoon of salt in a cup of water).
• Keep your head raised when you lie down.

What not to do

• Don't put heat on your face — it can make the swelling worse.
• Don't try to pop or drain the swelling yourself.
• Don't put aspirin directly on your gum — it can burn the tissue.
• Don't take leftover antibiotics or someone else's prescription.
• Don't wait for it to "go away." Antibiotics may calm it down, but the source still has to be treated.

How a dentist treats it

Your dentist will examine the area and take an X-ray to find the source. Depending on what they find, treatment may include draining the infection, a root canal to save the tooth, or removing the tooth. Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed too, but on their own they don't fix the cause — the infection usually comes back until the tooth is treated.

This article is general information, not a diagnosis. If you're worried about your symptoms, contact a dentist or doctor.