Looking in the mirror, you see that one side of your face appears to be swollen. You haven’t been injured, stung, or had dental work, so you try to manage it with a cold compress, but it persists beyond a day or two. Now, you’re faced with a difficult decision: do you call your physician or your emergency dentist?
Should you visit your emergency dentist for facial swelling? What could facial swelling indicate? Continue reading to learn more about this symptom, its causes, and when it’s appropriate to go to the emergency dentist for help.
Is Facial Swelling a Dental Emergency?
If you have facial swelling, it may be a dental emergency, or it could be a symptom of an infection. In either case, the situation needs immediate attention. It’s usually best to contact your dentist first, who can perform an evaluation and let you know what next steps are necessary.
Upon examination, your dentist can determine whether you have an abscess or collection of pus in your gums. This bubble-like abscess usually forms at the base of a tooth and protrudes through the gum tissue. In this instance, your dentist can treat the issue and help you overcome the infection.
Facial swelling may also be indicative of salivary gland infection. Your salivary gland is located in your cheeks and can be just as painful as tooth decay. To address this problem, your dentist will refer you to an ear, nose, and throat doctor for further diagnosis and treatment.
What Can an Emergency Dentist Do About Facial Swelling?
If your facial swelling is caused by an abscess or deep cavity, your emergency dentist can relieve your pain and inflammation through removing the cause of the infection. The abscess usually accompanies tooth decay that has penetrated all the way through the tooth roots. As a result, your dentist will likely perform either a root canal or tooth extraction to take away the source of the pain and swelling.
What If I Do Nothing About Facial Swelling?
Unlike the common cold, which can go away on its own with time, facial swelling is not a symptom that will stop without intervention. Regardless of the cause, facial swelling will only get worse with time. In fact, an untreated abscess can allow the infection to spread not only to other teeth, gums, and the jawbone but also to other parts of the body. In extreme cases, an untreated cavity could even be fatal!
Instead of wondering what could be wrong with your face, contact your dentist for an urgent appointment. That way, you can identify the cause behind your swelling and get the appropriate treatment.
About the Practice
Little Rock Family Dental Care has three locations throughout the Little Rock area to better serve patients of all ages. Our dentists, including two oral surgeons and an endodontist, come from various backgrounds, but all are committed to relieving pain and getting smiles back on track. To help with dental emergencies, the practice answers phone calls after-hours to offer support. If you have a dental emergency or questions about handling facial swelling, contact your closest location.