It sure was nice to finally catch up on some sleep last night; it’s been a long week. As you sit up in bed, your face feels a bit strange. A quick touch tells you that your cheeks are puffy. You shuffle to the bathroom mirror and, good grief, your face is swollen! How in the heck did this happen overnight? A weird and worrisome predicament to be sure – you decide that contacting your emergency dentist for facial swelling is a legitimate reason. Read on to learn potential causes of the swelling, why you would need to see your dentist in Jefferson, and what to expect during the examination.
What Caused My Face to Become Swollen?
Facial swelling could occur for several reasons and most of them would warrant you seeking an exam sooner rather than later. Here are a couple of potential causes your emergency dentist will investigate:
- Salivary gland infection: Located in the cheeks, salivary glands can swell and cause significant pain if they become infected. It could occur due to bacteria or decreased saliva production. Your dentist may refer you to an ear, nose, and throat doctor depending on the reason.
- Tooth abscess: In this case, bacteria enter the tooth pulp and cause an infection. If it stays untreated, it can spread throughout the face and other parts of the body. Other symptoms may include a bitter taste in the mouth, tooth sensitivity, or fever.
Why Would My Dentist Get Involved with My Facial Swelling?
You don’t need to be told to see your dentist when you are having problems with your teeth and gums. But when your face is involved, your dentist might not be the most obvious answer. If you ever experience swelling around your face, mouth, or gums, you should see your emergency dentist.
Underlying oral health issues could be involved, which necessitates your dentist to assess your symptoms and develop a treatment plan. Schedule an appointment right away if you experience persistent swelling, pain that doesn’t go away after 2-3 days, or if the discomfort worsens to cause other issues like headaches.
How Does an Emergency Dentist Respond to a Case of Facial Swelling?
At your appointment, your dentist can assess your symptoms, evaluate your needs, and plan the best course of treatment. If you have an abscessed tooth, they can remove the bacteria and clean the area, then place a crown over the damaged tooth to prevent further infection. If you have a salivary gland infection, treatment could range from a prescribed antibiotic to the removal of part of the glands.
The important thing is that you don’t blow off a case of facial swelling as no big deal. Call your emergency dentist in Jefferson and see them as soon as possible. When you don’t know why something has happened to you, it is much better to be proactive and seek answers than to assume it will improve on its own. Sometimes, that’s how you avoid a potentially severe situation that could be life-threatening.
About the Practice
At Dental Group of Jefferson, we feel extra motivated to take excellent care of everyone who enters through our front door because we are the only dentist in town. We also have two dental offices in Chardon, as well as a location in Painesville. This makes scheduling your family’s dental appointments easier than ever. If facial swelling ever puts you in the unfortunate position of needing an emergency dentist, our experienced dental team offers same-day appointments. Give us a call at (440) 576-7040 as soon as possible.