Should You See an Emergency Dentist for Facial Swelling? 

Sudden facial swelling can be quite alarming, but is it a dental emergency, and if so, what should you do if it occurs? Here’s how you should treat this condition, and why it’s very important to act quickly!

Causes of Facial Swelling

There are many reasons why your face may become swollen. Common culprits are often allergic reactions and injuries, both of which can be dangerous and should be treated at your nearest emergency room. However, in some cases your face may swell due to a dental condition. Here are few oral health-related reasons it could happen, and what you should do next.

Salivary Gland Infection

Two large salivary glands called the parotid glands are housed in your cheeks. When they become infected, it can cause swelling of the face. While sometimes only one cheek at a time may become infected, if both do it is known as parotitis. While not life-threatening, salivary gland infections can be painful. If you believe you have one, call your dentist as soon as possible for help.

Dental Abscess

Tooth abscesses form when bacteria enter the pulp of your tooth and are more common in teeth with cracks or untreated cavities. They often cause facial swelling, fever, pain, a bad taste in the mouth, and tooth sensitivity. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, this is considered a dental emergency and should be treated by your dentist as soon as possible to prevent the infection from spreading or worsening. If left untreated, it can cause tooth loss and in extreme cases can be fatal.

Angioedema

This skin reaction is often caused by allergies to food, medication, and even pollen. It may occur in the cheeks, around the eyes, and even in the lips, and the affected areas may also be red and feel painful or warm. For assistance with this type of swelling, contact your primary care physician or allergist.

Sinus Infection

Sinusitis can sometimes develop following a cold or flu or seasonal allergies. Thankfully, it typically goes away on its own and often does not require treatment. Sinus infections can cause swollen cheeks, pain, headaches, fever, sinus congestion, and even toothaches! To mitigate discomfort, treat the symptoms with OTC pain relievers or sinus decongestants if approved by your doctor.

Treating Facial Swelling

Now that you know the common causes of facial swelling, it’s important to understand the correct type of treatment for your specific condition. If you are experiencing a life-threatening reaction, call 911 or go directly to your nearest emergency room. For oral health-related swelling, it is best to see your emergency dentist for treatment, as most emergency rooms, urgent care centers, and mobile clinics do not have a dentist on staff. Thus, your dentist will be the best person to diagnose your problem and provide fast and effective treatment.

Remember, if you are experiencing facial swelling that is not life-threatening, call your emergency dentist as soon as possible and discuss your symptoms. They can arrange an urgent appointment and help get you on the road to recovery as soon as possible!

About Our Practice

At Martinez Dentistry, Dr. Martinez and Dr. Harman want to improve your smile. Whether that means creating dazzling white teeth with the help of veneers, screening you for dangerous conditions like oral cancer, or treating a painful infection that could be causing swelling or pain, they’re happy help.

Don’t let pain and swelling put your oral health at risk. Call your Indianapolis emergency dentist today! We are proud to offer same-day appointments and sedation dentistry options to keep you calm and comfortable during treatment. To schedule an urgent appointment, please call us directly at 317-846-3431.