SWOLLEN FACE

If you did not have recent dental surgery and you have a swollen face you are very likely experiencing an dental infection from an infected tooth for which you should take antibiotics AND have a dentist treat the infected tooth. Most of the time a swollen face is not painful or the pain is mild and may incorrectly lead you to believe that the issue is not serious. A “swollen face" related to an infected tooth most commonly occurs under the lower jaw, cheek area, under the eye/ side of your nose, and chin.

Swollen Face on one side: cause and treatment

The sooner you start taking antibiotics to help your body get the dental infection under control the better! A dental infection can get VERY serious when ignored; sometimes requiring hospitalization and although rare it can even cause death!

 

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: once your swollen face is “gone” do not be fooled into thinking that the dental infection is resolved; an antibiotic helps your body get the infection under control, but the infection is not gone even if it feels perfectly fine. The infected tooth needs to be treated (root canal or extraction) otherwise your swollen face will be back and the next time it will be worse as the pathway for the infection is easier the second time around!

Have a Different Dental Emergency?

 

Dental Emergency Information from Emergency Dentists: Separating Fact from Fiction.

 

If you are experiencing a dental emergency, it is in the best interest of your health to contact an emergency dentist as soon as possible. 

 

Above are some helpful tips until you can see a dentist.