Is a swollen face from a tooth an emergency?
Yes, it can be. A swollen face from a tooth is usually a sign that an infection has spread beyond the tooth. Call a dentist the same day. Go to an emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, or if you have a fever and cannot reach a dentist.
Mayo Clinic lists those same signs. They can mean the infection has moved deeper into your jaw, throat or neck, or even to other parts of your body. This is rare, but it can be life-threatening, and it is not worth waiting to see what happens.
It helps to know what is normal. A little puffiness along the jaw after a dental procedure can happen and usually settles in a few days. Swelling that appears with no recent work, grows by the hour or comes with pain or fever is a different story.
If you are ever unsure whether it is serious, treat it as serious and call. Dentists and doctors would much rather see you early than late.
Why a tooth makes your face swell
Bacteria get inside a tooth through a deep cavity, a crack or a broken filling. They reach the nerve and the tip of the root. The body fights back, and pus builds up. That pocket of pus is called an abscess.
When the pocket cannot drain, the infection pushes into the bone and soft tissue around it. That is when you see swelling in your cheek, under your eye, along your jaw or under your chin. The area may feel warm, tight and tender. Your eye might swell nearly shut if the infection is in an upper tooth.
The location of the swelling points to the tooth. Swelling under the eye often comes from an upper front tooth. Swelling along the cheek or jaw comes from a back tooth. Swelling under the chin or tongue can come from a lower tooth and is more dangerous, because it can press on the airway.
Go to the ER or call 911 if you have
Do not drive yourself if you feel faint or short of breath. Call 911 for any of these:
- Trouble breathing or a feeling that your throat is closing
- Trouble swallowing or opening your mouth wide
- Swelling that spreads fast to your neck, under your tongue or toward your eye
- A fever over 101 degrees with face swelling and no way to reach a dentist
- Confusion, a racing heart or feeling very weak
Call a dentist today if you have
If none of the signs above are present, you can usually go to a dentist the same day. Call right away if you have a swollen cheek or gum, a bump on the gum that oozes, a bad taste in your mouth, or pain that is getting worse. The American Dental Association lists an abscess with swelling as urgent care, which means it should not be put off.
When you call, say you have swelling. Many offices will fit you in sooner. Tell them if you have a fever, if you take blood thinners or if you have diabetes, since those matter for your care.
Be honest about how long it has been going on. If the pain started last week and the swelling started this morning, say that. It helps your dentist understand how fast the infection moves and how urgent the care needs to be.
Many people ask whether they can use leftover pain medicine to make it through the weekend. Over-the-counter pain relievers are fine for short-term relief if they are safe for you, but swelling is a sign that an infection is active. Pain medicine does not treat it.
What the dentist does
The dentist examines your mouth, takes X-rays and finds the source. The goal is to remove the infection at its source, not only calm the swelling.
That usually means one of two things. A root canal cleans the infected nerve out and saves the tooth. If the tooth cannot be saved, it is taken out. In both cases the dentist makes sure the infection can drain. Antibiotics are often given with the treatment when the swelling is spreading or when you have a fever.
If the infection has gone too deep, you may be sent to an oral surgeon or the hospital for stronger care, such as medicine through a vein.
Expect the visit to take some time. Your dentist may numb the area, open the tooth to let the infection drain, and place a medicated dressing. You may be asked to return in a few days to finish the treatment. Take all your antibiotics as directed, even if you feel better.
Make a plan with someone nearby. Ask a friend or family member to drive you if you can, and bring a list of your medicines. If you are alone and feel the swelling closing your throat, call 911 first and unlock your door.
What helps while you wait
These steps can ease discomfort. They do not treat the infection.
Sleep with extra pillows, and drink plenty of water, since swelling and fever can dry you out. Avoid alcohol, which can interfere with pain medicine and antibiotics. If you take blood thinners, ask your doctor or pharmacist before using ibuprofen or aspirin.
- Hold a cold pack on the outside of your cheek, 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off.
- Rinse gently with warm salt water.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever if it is safe for you.
- Sleep with your head raised.
- Drink water and eat soft foods.
Mistakes to avoid
Do not put heat on your face. Heat can pull the infection along. Do not poke, squeeze or cut a swollen spot. Do not use old antibiotics from another illness. They may not be the right drug, and the wrong dose can hide the problem while it gets worse.
Do not wait for the swelling to go down by itself. It may seem to ease for a day, but without treatment the infection nearly always comes back and often comes back worse.
Once the swelling goes down, ask about next steps. If the tooth was saved with a root canal, plan on a crown. If it was removed, ask about replacement. And ask what to do if the swelling returns, so you are never guessing at night.
There is a hopeful side to this. Most tooth infections are treated without any hospital stay when they are caught early. The swelling often begins to go down within a day or two after treatment starts. The key is not to wait.
If you have had swelling once, take it as a warning about that tooth. Follow up with your dentist so that the tooth is fully treated, and book regular exams so any new trouble is found sooner.
Urgent tooth swelling at KDA
If your cheek is swollen from a tooth, call us right away.
KDA lists emergency care 24/7. If you are in pain, call us at 305-271-1421 and tell us what is going on. Our regular office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and we are closed Saturday and Sunday.
You will find us at 8833 SW 107th Ave, Miami, FL 33176, in the Kendall Mall. We have served South Florida since 1973. We take digital X-rays and 3D scans in the office, so we can see what is wrong the same visit. We accept most dental insurances and most Medicare supplemental plans, and financing is available.
Free X-ray, exam and consultation. New Patient Special. New patients only.
The patient and any other person responsible for payment has the right to refuse to pay, cancel payment or be reimbursed for payment for any other service, examination or treatment that is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to any advertisement for the free, discounted fee or reduced fee service, examination or treatment. D0191, C6182
Common questions
Can a tooth infection make my face swell overnight?
Yes. An abscess can swell your cheek or jaw in a day or less.
Can I wait until Monday to see a dentist?
If you have swelling, no. Call right away, even on a weekend. Go to the ER if you have trouble breathing or swallowing.
Should I use heat or ice?
Use a cold pack outside the cheek. Do not use heat.
Will antibiotics clear the swelling?
They may bring it down, but the tooth still needs treatment or the infection will return.
How do I know the infection is spreading?
Warning signs are fever, swelling that moves toward your eye, neck or under your tongue, and trouble swallowing or breathing.
What if the swelling is on my gum only?
A bump on the gum is often an abscess. See a dentist soon even if it does not hurt.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Your dentist will confirm what is right for you at your exam. General information checked against: mayoclinic.org, dentaquest.com, dentalcompare.com.