Should i go to the er if my face is swollen from tooth infection

Table of Contents Show

What Causes Facial Swelling?
Tooth Abscess
Salivary Gland Infection
Why Should I See a Dentist?
What Can I Expect During My Emergency Visit?
When to see a doctor
From Mayo Clinic to your inbox
Risk factors
Complications
Is facial swelling a dental emergency?
What will the ER do for a tooth infection?
What should I do if my face is swollen from tooth infection?
When should I go to the ER for face swelling?

Everyone knows to see a dentist when they’re having problems with their teeth and gums – but what if you’re having issues that involve your face? It may be surprising, but your dentist is the best person to see for facial discomfort as it could signal worrisome oral health issues. If your mouth or face is swollen, that’s a strong indication that you should seek immediate dental attention. Read on as we discuss why you should see your emergency dentist for facial swelling and what you can expect during your visit.

What Causes Facial Swelling?

There are various reasons why facial swelling may occur and most of them necessitate immediate medical attention. Here are two potential causes your emergency dentist will search for:

Tooth Abscess

An abscessed tooth develops when bacteria enter the pulp, the chamber that contains the nerves and blood vessels, and causes an infection. If left untreated, it can spread throughout the face and to other parts of the body. Symptoms of this condition usually include fever, tooth sensitivity, pain, and a bitter taste in the mouth.

Salivary Gland Infection

The salivary glands, or parotid glands, are located in the cheeks and can become infected by bacteria, causing swelling and pain. However, the infection could also result from decreased saliva production or a sinus infection. Depending on the underlying cause, your dentist may refer you to an ear, nose, and throat doctor.

Why Should I See a Dentist?

If you ever experience swelling around your face, mouth, or gums, your best course of action would be to contact your emergency dentist. Facial swelling could be a side effect of concerning oral health issues, meaning your dentist is the best person to assess your symptoms and develop an effective treatment plan.

Depending on the severity of your condition, you might be able to hold off seeking dental attention until your next appointment. But if you experience any of the following, you should schedule an emergency visit right away:

Persistent swelling
Pain that does not go away after two to three days
Worsening pain that causes other health problems, such as headaches or migraines

What Can I Expect During My Emergency Visit?

During your visit, your dentist will perform a thorough oral examination to assess your symptoms, diagnose your needs, and determine the proper treatment. If you have an abscessed tooth, they will remove the bacteria, clean the affected area, and place a crown over the damaged tooth to prevent further infection. But if you have a salivary gland infection, your dentist might prescribe an antibiotic or remove part of the glands.

Are you experiencing facial swelling? You should never take this issue lightly. Contact your emergency dentist as soon as possible to prevent it from becoming a more severe, life-threatening complication.

About the Practice

At Tylan Creek Family Dentistry, we provide top-notch, personalized, compassionate dental care that exceeds even the highest patient expectations. We understand dental emergencies can happen at the most inconvenient of times. If you or a loved one are experiencing severe facial swelling, we’re available 24/7 for assistance to provide the prompt relief you deserve. Visit our website or contact our office to schedule an emergency appointment.

Overview

A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that's caused by a bacterial infection. The abscess can occur at different areas near the tooth for different reasons. A periapical (per-e-AP-ih-kul) abscess occurs at the tip of the root. A periodontal (per-e-o-DON-tul) abscess occurs in the gums at the side of a tooth root. The information here is about periapical abscesses.

A periapical tooth abscess usually occurs as a result of an untreated dental cavity, an injury or prior dental work. The resulting infection with irritation and swelling (inflammation) can cause an abscess at the tip of the root.

Dentists will treat a tooth abscess by draining it and getting rid of the infection. They may be able to save your tooth with a root canal treatment. But in some cases the tooth may need to be pulled. Leaving a tooth abscess untreated can lead to serious, even life-threatening, complications.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of a tooth abscess include:

Severe, constant, throbbing toothache that can spread to your jawbone, neck or ear
Pain or discomfort with hot and cold temperatures
Pain or discomfort with the pressure of chewing or biting
Fever
Swelling in your face, cheek or neck that may lead to difficulty breathing or swallowing
Tender, swollen lymph nodes under your jaw or in your neck
Foul odor in your mouth
Sudden rush of foul-smelling and foul-tasting, salty fluid in your mouth and pain relief, if the abscess ruptures

When to see a doctor

See your dentist promptly if you have any signs or symptoms of a tooth abscess.

If you have a fever and swelling in your face and you can't reach your dentist, go to an emergency room. Also go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing. These symptoms may indicate that the infection has spread deeper into your jaw, throat or neck or even to other areas of your body.

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Causes

A periapical tooth abscess occurs when bacteria invade the dental pulp. The pulp is the innermost part of the tooth that contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue.

Bacteria enter through either a dental cavity or a chip or crack in the tooth and spread all the way down to the root. The bacterial infection can cause swelling and inflammation at the tip of the root.

Risk factors

These factors may increase your risk of a tooth abscess:

Poor dental habits and care. Not taking proper care of your teeth and gums — such as not brushing your teeth twice a day and not flossing — can increase your risk of dental problems. Problems may include tooth decay, gum disease, tooth abscess, and other dental and mouth complications.
A diet high in sugar. Frequently eating and drinking foods rich in sugar, such as sweets and sodas, can contribute to dental cavities and turn into a tooth abscess.
Dry mouth. Having a dry mouth can increase your risk of tooth decay. Dry mouth is often due to the side effect of certain medications or issues related to aging.

Complications

A tooth abscess won't go away without treatment. If the abscess ruptures, the pain may improve a lot, making you think that the problem has gone away — but you still need to get dental treatment.

If the abscess doesn't drain, the infection may spread to your jaw and to other areas of your head and neck. If the tooth is located near the maxillary sinus ⸺ two large spaces under your eyes and behind your cheeks ⸺ you can also develop an opening between the tooth abscess and the sinus. This can cause an infection in the sinus cavity. You might even develop sepsis — a life-threatening infection that spreads throughout your body.

If you have a weakened immune system and you leave a tooth abscess untreated, your risk of a spreading infection increases even more.

Prevention

Avoiding tooth decay is essential to preventing a tooth abscess. Take good care of your teeth to avoid tooth decay:

Drink water that contains fluoride.
Brush your teeth for two minutes at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
Use dental floss or a water flosser to clean between your teeth on a daily basis.
Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months, or whenever the bristles are frayed.
Eat healthy food, limiting sugary items and between-meal snacks.
Visit your dentist regularly for checkups and professional cleanings.
Consider using an antiseptic or a fluoride mouth rinse to add an extra layer of protection against tooth decay.

Is facial swelling a dental emergency?

It may be surprising, but your dentist is the best person to see for facial discomfort as it could signal worrisome oral health issues. If your mouth or face is swollen, that's a strong indication that you should seek immediate dental attention.

What will the ER do for a tooth infection?

Dental Treatment in the Emergency Room In the case of bacterial infections, they can provide antibiotics and will arrange for transfer to the hospital if necessary. They can also treat broken, dislodged, or fractured teeth and help to control severe pain.

What should I do if my face is swollen from tooth infection?

See your dentist promptly if you have any signs or symptoms of a tooth abscess. If you have a fever and swelling in your face and you can't reach your dentist, go to an emergency room. Also go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing.

When should I go to the ER for face swelling?

However, you should schedule an emergency visit right away if you experience any of the following: Persistent swelling. Pain that does not improve or go away after two to three days. Worsening pain that causes other problems, such as headache or migraines.