Swelling from a tooth is a sign that inflammation is developing. A swollen cheek or gum near a tooth rarely goes away on its own, and the pain often gets worse at night. So don’t wait for it to “settle down by itself.” This article will help you assess the situation, but it doesn’t replace an examination by a dentist. Below, we explain what may be causing it, what to do at home, and when to go to the dentist immediately.
Why Tooth Swelling Occurs
The cause may be an infection near the root, a gum problem, or a tissue reaction after a dental procedure. This kind of swelling can be a sign of various conditions, so only a dentist can determine the exact cause. Below are the most common causes and how urgently each needs treatment.
| Possible cause | Typical signs | How urgent |
|---|---|---|
| Inflammation of the periosteum (periostitis) | Throbbing pain, swollen cheek, tooth hurts when touched | Very urgent: see a dentist the same day |
| Abscess (purulent infection) | Severe pain, swelling, often fever, a painful lump on the gum | Very urgent: the same day |
| Wisdom tooth eruption | Swollen gum at the back of the jaw, pain when chewing, difficulty opening the mouth | Moderate: book an appointment soon; if you have a fever, go immediately |
| Gum or periodontal inflammation | Red, swollen gums, bleeding, bad breath | Moderate: book a check-up |
| Swelling after tooth extraction or treatment | Mild swelling in the first few days, moderate discomfort | Usually normal; if it gets worse, see a dentist |
Swelling of the jaw or around a tooth isn’t a diagnosis but a symptom. Swollen gums around a tooth may be the start of inflammation, or simply a reaction to an injury or food. Only a dentist can tell you what to do about swollen gums.
What to Do at Home Before Your Dental Appointment
Before your appointment, you can ease the discomfort: apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek, take a pain reliever according to the instructions or on the advice of a doctor or pharmacist, and gently rinse your mouth. But you can’t eliminate the cause at home; at best, you may get relief for a few hours. So the most important thing is to book an appointment right away rather than wait.
- Cold compress. Wrap something cold in a towel and hold it against the outside of your cheek. Apply it with breaks so you don’t overchill your skin. A cold compress for tooth swelling only reduces the feeling of pressure.
- Pain reliever. Only according to the instructions or on the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. Don’t exceed the dose stated in the instructions.
- Rinsing. Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water, without vigorous swishing. This will remove food debris.
- Booking an appointment. Call straight away. If the clinic is closed, look for emergency dental care.
What should you do about swollen gums? The same steps. What relieves swollen gums for good? Only treating the cause.
What Not to Do When You Have Swelling
Don’t apply heat, don’t pierce the swelling, don’t take antibiotics without a prescription, and don’t put off your appointment. These mistakes can mask symptoms, which will allow the infection to spread further. That’s why a swollen cheek caused by a tooth needs a dentist’s examination, not home experiments. Let’s look at each point in more detail.
- Don’t apply heat: warmth can worsen inflammation and help the infection spread. A heating pad, hot compress or sauna are not suitable.
- Don’t pierce it: trying to open an abscess with a needle can introduce a new infection. Only a dentist should do this.
- Don’t take antibiotics without a prescription. Without an examination, it’s unknown whether they’re needed. Medication may temporarily dull the symptoms, but the cause will remain.
- Don’t put aspirin or alcohol on your gums. A tablet on the mucous membrane can cause a chemical burn, and alcohol irritates the tissues.
- Don’t put off your appointment. Swelling can get worse quickly, even if the pain has eased.
When to See a Dentist Urgently or Seek Emergency Care
Seek help urgently if you have a fever, if the swelling is growing or spreading to your eye or neck, or if it’s hard to swallow or open your mouth. If you have difficulty breathing, call 112 immediately. Don’t wait until morning or hope it will go away on its own. These are signs that the infection may be spreading deeper into the tissues.
- Fever. A raised temperature, chills or weakness together with swelling.
- The swelling is growing. It increases rapidly or spreads to the eye, neck or chin.
- Difficulty swallowing or opening your mouth.
- Difficulty breathing. Call 112 immediately.
- Swelling in a child. A swollen cheek in a child is always a reason to see a doctor the same day, even without a fever. Don’t give your child any medication without a doctor’s advice.
Toothache and a swollen cheek together with any of these symptoms can’t be left until morning. Learn more about emergency dental care.
Swollen cheek or gum near a tooth? Contact a Dentlife dentist. We’ll help find the cause and relieve the inflammation.
How Long Does Tooth Swelling Last?
It depends on the cause and on how quickly treatment was started. Once the source of inflammation has been eliminated, the swelling gradually goes down. It’s impossible to give an exact timeframe. Every case is individual. Without treatment, the swelling may subside temporarily and then come back. That’s why you shouldn’t wait. How long it lasts depends on the cause of the swelling, how soon you seek help, the extent of treatment and your general health.
Swelling after a tooth extraction usually lasts a few days and gradually subsides. If it increases, you develop a fever or the pain gets worse, see a dentist.
What a Dentlife Dentist Will Do
At Dentlife, the dentist examines your mouth, orders an X-ray if needed and determines the cause of the swelling. Then they eliminate it: treat the tooth, drain the abscess or clean the gums. We don’t treat blindly. First, we find out where the inflammation is coming from. Check same-day appointment availability by phone or on our website.
- The dentist will ask when the swelling appeared, whether you have a fever and what medication you’ve taken.
- An X-ray will show the condition of the root and the bone around the tooth.
- Root canal treatment, gum cleaning, help with wisdom tooth eruption, or tooth extraction. The choice depends on the diagnosis.
- You’ll receive a home care plan and a date for your follow-up visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will tooth swelling go down?
It depends on the cause and how quickly treatment was started. Once the source of inflammation has been eliminated, the swelling gradually goes down. If it doesn’t decrease or keeps growing, see a dentist.
Can I apply heat to a swollen cheek?
No. Heat can worsen inflammation and help the infection spread. Instead, apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek, with breaks, and book an appointment with a dentist.
What should I do if my gums are swollen near a tooth?
Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water, don’t touch the swelling with your hands and don’t apply heat to it. You can take a pain reliever. Book an appointment with a dentist: this may be a sign of inflammation, and only a dentist can determine the exact cause.
Is swelling after a tooth extraction normal?
Slight swelling in the first few days is a normal reaction to the procedure. But if it increases, you develop a fever or it’s hard to open your mouth, see a dentist. Don’t wait for it to go away on its own.
When is tooth swelling a reason to seek emergency care?
Immediately if you have a fever, the swelling is growing or spreading to your eye or neck, or it’s hard to swallow or open your mouth. If you have difficulty breathing, call 112. These symptoms can’t be left until morning. This also applies to a swollen cheek in a child.
Swollen cheek or gum near a tooth? Contact a Dentlife dentist. We’ll help find the cause and relieve the inflammation.
