A Swollen Cheek Isn’t Always a Serious Issue
You wake up one day, and one side of your face is swollen. While this can seem like a big deal, it’s not wise to panic immediately. First, you have to assess the situation. There can be multiple reasons for swollen cheeks, and they’re usually related to your teeth. Those reasons include a tooth abscess, infected tooth, root canal infection, etc. In case of a root canal infection, you can contact root canal dentists at Simply Teeth. They will know how to treat your underlying causes.
However, how do you figure out what causes your cheek swelling? First of all, don’t confuse face swelling with puffy cheeks. Morning puffiness is natural, and it should go down as you gradually wake up. Cheek swelling usually is usually paired with a whole other set of symptoms that will let you know what the cause is.
Once you’re sure it isn’t morning puffiness, talking to your doctor is the next right thing to do because you’ll likely need some treatment. Still, if you aren’t able to do that immediately, there may be some temporary solutions that can help with swelling. Swollen face causes can sometimes be a medical emergency, and we’ll tell you exactly what to look out for.
Assessing the Situation: Accompanying Symptoms
As we know by now, facial swelling is usually related to teeth. Although conditions such as minor tooth decay won’t cause swelling, more serious issues might. Since cheek swelling can also be an allergic reaction, natural morning puffiness, impacted wisdom teeth, etc., here are some accompanying symptoms that will help you determine if you should be concerned:
- Severe toothache
- Sensitivity to hot or cold
- Tooth abscess
- Chronic bad breath
- Foul taste in the mouth
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
There are basic signs that something is wrong with your tooth and you require treatment. A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus forming at the tip or the side of the root canal, and bacteria cause it. When you look inside your mouth, you’ll usually be able to notice it, as this is likely the cause of the swelling. That is also the time to contact your dentist or endodontist for advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
We know that all of this sounds scary, but it’s essential to stay calm. A visit to your doctor will resolve all your issues.
When Is It a Medical Emergency?
Pain always seems like an emergency, but sometimes, it doesn’t have to be. However, some symptoms force you to call your doctor or call 911 immediately. Those include:
- Fever that doesn’t go away
- Severe pain
- Swelling that has spread to the upper parts of the face or neck
- Difficulty breathing and swallowing
These symptoms can indicate that an infection is spreading. Unfortunately, not only can other parts of your jaw and teeth become affected but other parts of your body too. That’s why, in case of an emergency, you have to rush to your dentist. If you’re unable to do so, you can go to the emergency room and request treatment. Doctors will prescribe you some medication that will stop the pain or infection from spreading until you can see your dentist.
Emergencies like these require treatment that includes medication, root canal treatment, abscess drainage, wisdom teeth removal, and maybe even jaw surgery. That’s why, if and when you notice any of the above symptoms, you have to act fast. The faster you reach your doctor, the less serious your condition and treatment will be.
Temporary Solutions
If you notice your cheekbone is swollen but you don’t have any significant accompanying symptoms, there might be other things causing it. General injury or dental trauma (such as having a tooth removed) can cause this inconvenience. If that’s the case, apply an ice pack to the swollen area and keep it there for ten minutes at a time. Applying it for long periods can cause tissue damage. Expect this type of swelling to go down within a few days.
If you notice minor tooth pain and you’re unable to go to the dentist, seeing a general practitioner can be helpful. They can prescribe you some pain medication that will help with some of the symptoms while you treat the swelling.
However, the best thing you can do is visit a general dentist as soon as possible. Your medical condition may not be life-threatening, but it can stop you from performing daily tasks. When that happens, temporary solutions can help but don’t rely on them for medical emergencies. Some people dread going to the dentist, and we understand that, but having a trusted doctor will help alleviate any stress or worries related to coming to the clinic.
Keep Up Good Dental Hygiene to Avoid Serious Issues
Always keep up with your dental hygiene. Brushing your teeth and flossing will help keep you safe from any serious issues. Another thing that can help is regular check-ups. Your doctor will be able to tell you if you’re doing a good job, what you can improve on, etc.
Unfortunately, tooth decay can happen no matter how well you take care of your teeth. That’s why regular visits to your dentist are essential. They’ll be able to spot any signs of decay while it’s still at the beginning stages. It’s always easier to deal with those kinds of issues rather than waiting for them to grow bigger.
If they blindside you, and you wake up in pain, swollen, and not feeling well, you’ll know how to assess the situation and decide what the next steps are.
