A swollen cheek or jaw caused by a tooth is a sign that infection has spread from the tooth into the surrounding tissues. It is not something to wait out. Most cases are treated quickly in the dental chair, but a few need emergency hospital care.
Common causes
- Dental abscess from a deeply decayed or cracked tooth whose nerve has died
- Infection around a partly erupted wisdom tooth (pericoronitis)
- Gum abscess from advanced gum disease
- A failed old filling or root canal allowing bacteria back in
Signs it is from a tooth
- Swelling on one side of the face, cheek or jaw
- A tooth that is painful to touch or bite on, or that hurt badly and then went quiet
- A pimple-like bump on the gum or a bad taste from pus
- Swollen glands under the jaw
What to do now
- Call or WhatsApp the dentist the same day.
- Take a painkiller as directed on the pack if suitable for you.
- Rinse gently with warm salt water.
- Use a cold pack on the outside of the cheek, 15 minutes at a time.
- Keep your head raised when resting.
What not to do
- Do not put heat on the face — it can draw the infection outward.
- Do not hold a painkiller tablet against the gum — it burns the tissue.
- Do not squeeze or puncture the swelling.
- Do not rely on antibiotics alone. They may reduce the swelling temporarily, but the source in the tooth must be treated or the infection returns.
Go to a hospital emergency department immediately if
- Swelling spreads towards the eye or down the neck
- You have difficulty swallowing, breathing or opening your mouth
- High fever, feeling very unwell or confused
- The floor of the mouth or tongue is raised
These are signs of a spreading infection that needs urgent hospital care.
How the dentist treats it
The source is removed and the infection drained: through root canal treatment if the tooth can be saved, or extraction if it cannot. Antibiotics are added when the infection has spread. Most patients feel relief within a day or two of treatment.
See emergency dental care in Rajkot for hours and how to reach us fast.
Common questions
Can a tooth infection go away on its own? No. The pain can stop if the nerve dies, but the infection continues into the bone.
Is a swollen face from a tooth dangerous? It can become serious if it spreads, which is why same-day assessment matters.
Can I have treatment while the face is swollen? Yes. Draining the infection is part of the treatment; anaesthesia is adjusted for comfort.
Contact us as early in the day as possible.