Swollen Face and Tooth Abscess: When It Is an Emergency

When is a swollen face from a tooth an emergency?

It is an emergency if the swelling comes with trouble breathing or swallowing, or if it spreads into the neck or under the jaw. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Cleveland Clinic lists “difficulty breathing or swallowing” and “swelling around your neck or under your jaw” as reasons to call 911 or go to an ER.

A swollen face with tooth pain can mean a dental abscess. Mayo Clinic says a tooth abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection, and that leaving it untreated can lead to serious, even life-threatening, complications. Do not wait to see if it improves.

What are the danger signs?

Use this table. If you have any item in the first three rows, do not wait for the dentist’s office to open.

Cleveland Clinic also lists confusion, an elevated heart rate and facial swelling alongside an abscess as reasons to head to the nearest emergency room. If you are unsure, go. It is better to be checked than to wait.

Why can a tooth infection cause a swollen face?

Because the infection can spread. Cleveland Clinic says that left untreated, a tooth abscess can spread to your jawbone and the soft tissues of your face and neck, and beyond. Mayo Clinic says symptoms like fever and facial swelling may indicate that the infection has spread deeper into the jaw, throat or neck.

Cleveland Clinic also describes a rare, fast-growing infection of the floor of the mouth called Ludwig angina. It says this type of infection usually happens because of an abscessed tooth, that it is a medical emergency, and that swelling can spread quickly to the tongue and throat, making it hard to breathe.

What are the signs of a tooth abscess?

Look for pain and swelling. Mayo Clinic lists a severe, constant, throbbing toothache that can spread to the jawbone, neck or ear. Cleveland Clinic says a tooth abscess can cause severe tooth pain, and MedlinePlus lists a swollen area of the upper or lower jaw as a very serious symptom. Other signs include a bad taste, fever and swollen glands.

Tooth pain is not always an abscess. Read our post on toothache at night for other causes, and our toothache causes guide.

What causes a tooth abscess?

Bacteria get into the tooth. Mayo Clinic says bacteria enter through a dental cavity or a chip or crack in the tooth and spread all the way down to the root. The pulp is the inner part of the tooth with its blood vessels and nerves, and you can read about it in our entry on tooth pulp. A deep cavity or an injured tooth that is left alone is the usual starting point.

Swelling in the face from a tooth has its own entry, facial swelling from a tooth. The cause is usually in the tooth or gum, not the skin.

How can I lower my risk?

Prevent decay and keep up with visits. Mayo Clinic says avoiding tooth decay is essential to preventing a tooth abscess, and it advises visiting your dentist regularly for checkups and professional cleanings. Treat a cavity or a cracked tooth early, before it reaches the pulp. A regular exam lets your dentist look for these problems.

Can an abscess go away on its own?

No. Mayo Clinic says a tooth abscess will not go away without treatment. If it ruptures, the pain may improve a lot, which can make you think it is over. You still need dental treatment, according to Mayo Clinic.

What will the dentist do?

The dentist works to clear the infection and deal with the tooth. Cleveland Clinic says treatment options include draining the abscess with a small cut, a root canal to save the tooth, or removing the tooth if it is damaged beyond repair. You may also need antibiotics. Your dentist will explain which one fits your tooth and what to expect.

What can I do while I wait?

Keep it simple until you are seen. MedlinePlus says warm saltwater rinses may help ease the pain, and not to place aspirin directly on the tooth or gums. Cleveland Clinic suggests a cold compress on the outside of the cheek if your mouth is swollen. These steps are comfort measures. They do not treat the infection.

When is Town Center Dental open?

Town Center Dental is open Monday to Wednesday from 8am to 5pm and Thursday from 8am to 4pm. The office is closed Friday to Sunday. If you think you have an abscess, call (636) 273-5866 during office hours and describe your symptoms. When the office is closed, and you have any danger sign above, go to an emergency room or call 911. Our post on choosing between a dentist, urgent care and the ER can help.

What should I tell the ER or dental team?

Give clear facts, fast. Say when the pain and swelling began, whether the swelling is growing, whether you have a fever, and whether it is hard to breathe or swallow. List your medicines and allergies, and any past dental work on the painful tooth.

If you go to an emergency room, ask for follow-up with a dentist, because the tooth itself needs dental care. Tell the dentist’s office what was done in the ER, including any antibiotics, so the team can plan the next step.

Next step

Do not wait on a swollen face. Read about emergency dentistry at Town Center Dental, then call (636) 273-5866 during office hours or request an appointment. If you cannot breathe or swallow, call 911 now.