Jaw pain on one side swollen gland

Q: When should I worry about swollen lymph nodes under jaw?

See your doctor if youre concerned or if your swollen lymph nodes: Have appeared for no apparent reason. Continue to enlarge or have been present for two to four weeks. Feel hard or rubbery, or dont move when you push on them.

If your jaw is swollen, it may feel larger than normal or develop a visible lump. The swelling is typically caused by fluid accumulating in the skin above the jaws or inflammation of the jaws themselves. Mild jaw swelling may heal on its own. In the meantime you can reduce the pain with over-the-counter medication and a cold compress.
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However, if the swelling is especially painful, bothersome or long-lasting, contact your dentist right away. After all, the most common issues that cause jaw swelling are tooth-related. Other than swelling following oral surgery or another dental procedure, here’s what could be causing your swollen jaw.
Jaw Cyst
Cysts are sacs filled with fluid, air other substance. While they cause uncomfortable jaw swelling, cysts are benign. Anyone can develop a jaw cyst, but risk factors include:
- Tobacco and alcohol use
- Poor oral hygiene
- Irritation caused by poorly fitting dentures
- Rough surface on the teeth
- Poor nutrition
When your dentist works to diagnose the problem, she starts by asking about your medical history. She will thoroughly examine your mouth, jaws and teeth. A CT scan, MRI or biopsy is necessary to get a definitive diagnosis. You may need surgery to remove the cyst.
Tooth Abscess
An abscess is a collection of infected material caused by bacterial infection. When it occurs in the tooth, the abscess can cause a severe toothache and swollen jaw. Common causes include:
- Tooth decay
- Broken or chipped tooth
- Openings in the tooth enamel
- Infection in the root spreading to the bones supporting the tooth
The infected tooth may look completely normal on the surface, though the gums around it may be swollen and red. Dental x-rays and other tests are needed to pinpoint which tooth (or teeth) is causing the jaw swelling and pain.
Aside from getting rid of the infection, the goal of treatment is to save the tooth and prevent further complications. You may be able to fight off the infection with antibiotics. Warm saltwater rinses and over-the-counter pain medications help relieve the discomfort. If the antibiotics aren’t enough, you may need a root canal, and if the infection is too severe, you may need to have the tooth extracted.
Pericoronitis
When your wisdom teeth only partially erupt through the gum, it allows food particles and bacteria to get caught under the gum flap still covering the tooth. If left untreated, this can irritate the gum and cause an infection to develop called pericoronitis. This results in:
- Pain
- Swollen gum tissue
- “Bad taste” in the mouth
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Difficulty opening the jaw
To diagnose pericoronitis, your dentist will examine your mouth to see how the wisdom teeth are growing in. An x-ray shows the precise alignment of the wisdom teeth and determines if they are partially erupted.
If the infection is mild, you may be able to remedy it by rinsing with warm saltwater and ensuring food doesn’t become trapped under the gum flap. If your jaw is swollen and painful, this means the infection has spread and you need antibiotics. You can also take over-the-counter pain medication to alleviate the discomfort until the infection subsides. If pericoronitis recurs, you may need to have surgery to remove the gum flap or extract the wisdom tooth.
For help figuring out the precise reason for your swollen jaw, please contact Evanson DDS online or call us at (720) 409-0008 to schedule an appointment..
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Medically Reviewed by Poonam Sachdev on February 22, 2022

Tooth Abscess

1/12

Cavities, dental work, or a mouth injury can lead to an infection in your tooth. This can cause swelling in the lymph nodes under your jaw or in your neck.

Upper Respiratory Infection

2/12

One of the telltale signs you have an infection in your airways -- nose, sinuses, throat -- is big and painful lymph nodes in your neck.

HIV

3/12

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an infection that attacks your body’s immune system. You can get it when specific bodily fluids from someone with the virus come in contact with your bloodstream. Swollen lymph nodes in your groin area, head, or neck can be an early symptom.

Cancer

4/12

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that starts in your lymph nodes and causes swelling. Other types of cancer can spread to lymph nodes when cells break off of a tumor and travel in the lymph system to other parts of your body. Lymph nodes with cancer cells in them may or may not swell. The lymph nodes closest to a tumor are usually the ones that get bigger.

Lupus

5/12

Lupus is an ongoing autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in your joints, skin, and kidneys. It also affects your blood cells, heart, and lungs. Swollen lymph nodes aren’t usually a symptom, but they may get bigger during a lupus flare.

STDs

6/12

Genital herpes, syphilis, and gonorrhea can lead to swollen lymph nodes. Usually, you’ll find them in the groin area if you have genital herpes or syphilis. Gonorrhea can cause swollen glands in your neck and groin.

Scalp Infection

7/12

Scalp ringworm, an infection caused by a fungus, can make the glands in your neck swell. Impetigo -- another skin infection that usually affects your face -- can also show up on the scalp and cause the lymph nodes in your neck to get bigger.

Pinkeye

8/12

Viral conjunctivitis, also known as pinkeye, is a highly contagious infection caused by a virus. It can be triggered by the same virus that gives you a cold. Pinkeye and colds sometimes happen together. It can also lead to swollen lymph nodes.

Tuberculosis

9/12

Scrofula, a type of tuberculosis, or TB, is an infection in your neck lymph nodes. It makes them swell and feel rubbery or firm. It’s typically not painful, but it might come with fever, chills, and a general unwell feeling.

Medication

10/12

Swollen lymph nodes can be a side effect of the medication phenytoin. People most often take this drug for epilepsy, a seizure disorder.

Cat-Scratch Disease

11/12

You can get a bacterial infection called cat-scratch disease if one scratches you, bites you, or licks an open wound on your skin. It takes about 2 weeks for symptoms to show up. You’ll be red and swollen at the area. You might also have a fever, headache, and fatigue. The lymph nodes closest to the area may also swell.

Shingles

12/12

You get shingles (herpes zoster) from the same virus that causes chickenpox. It sticks around in your body and can show up as shingles when you’re an adult. The main symptom is a rash that causes nerve pain, but you may also have swollen lymph nodes.

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SOURCES:

Mayo Clinic: “Tooth abscess,” “Swollen lymph nodes,” “Gonorrhea,” “Phenytoin (Oral Route).”

Harvard Health: “The respiratory tract and its infections.”

CDC: “About HIV/AIDS,” “Cat-Scratch Disease.”

Medscape: “Early Symptomatic HIV Infection.”

American Cancer Society: “Lymph Nodes and Cancer.”

Journal of Clinical Medicine Research: “Generalized Lymphadenopathy as Presenting Feature of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Case Report and Review of the Literature.”

Girlshealth.gov: “Types of STDs (STIs).”

New York State Department of Health: “Gonorrhea,” “Bacterial Skin Infections: Impetigo and MRSA.”

American Academy of Family Physicians: “Syphilis.”

Johns Hopkins Medicine: “Tinea Infections (Ringworm).”

UpToDate: “Patient education: Conjunctivitis (pink eye).”

Medscape: “Scrofula Overview of Scrofula.”

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis: “Relief from Shingle Pain.”

Can a swollen gland cause jaw pain?

Viral or bacterial infection: Swelling in your lymph node is a frequent cause of jaw pain. The infection can be mild but can also be bold due to stronger infections that require medication. Swollen glands or nodes can signify that your body is trying to fight off an infection.

Why is one jaw gland swollen?

Lymph nodes can also swell under the jaw. In most instances, nodes swell due to an infection, injury or illness. Often a swollen node is an indication of an infection in the area. A swollen node under the jaw can indicate an upper respiratory infection, cold or flu.

When should I worry about swollen lymph nodes under jaw?

See your doctor if you're concerned or if your swollen lymph nodes: Have appeared for no apparent reason. Continue to enlarge or have been present for two to four weeks. Feel hard or rubbery, or don't move when you push on them.

Why is one side of my jaw sore and swollen?

In some cases, jaw pain on one side can indicate underlying oral health problems. Some common issues that cause jaw pain are cavities, an abscessed tooth, gum disease, tooth decay, growth of wisdom teeth, missing or crooked teeth, and clenching or grinding your teeth.