Facial swelling is a symptom that can be associated with a variety of diseases and conditions affecting the soft tissues, teeth, jaws or salivary glands. In some cases, swelling appears suddenly and may be accompanied by pain, redness or fever, while in other cases it develops gradually.
The causes of facial swelling can be various and often require clinical examination and further investigations to establish the exact origin of the symptoms.
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The most common causes of facial swelling
Infection of tooth or surrounding tissues
One of the most common causes of facial swelling is an infection related to a tooth or surrounding tissue. Inflammatory processes around the tooth root can lead to abscess formation and swelling in the jaw or cheek area.
This condition is often accompanied by:
- pain in the jaw
- chewing sensitivity
- redness of the gums
- fever
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Inflammation of the salivary glands
The salivary glands can become inflamed as a result of infection, blockage of the salivary duct or the formation of stones in the gland. This can cause swelling in the cheek area, under the lower jaw or around the ear.
Among the possible symptoms are:
- pain chewing
- small or large lump formation
- swelling in the area of the gland
- touch sensitivity
Injuries of the face
Swelling can also occur after facial trauma, such as a blow, fall or sports accident. In these cases, swelling is often accompanied by:
- Pain
- Bruising
- limited jaw movement
If a facial bone fracture is suspected, an immediate medical or dental examination is necessary.
Cysts and tumours
Facial swelling can also be associated with cysts or tumor growths in the jaw or soft tissue area. These processes usually develop slowly and in the initial stages may proceed without pain.
Over time, symptoms such as:
- lumps or increase in facial tissue volume
- jaw deformity
- tooth misalignment
- tingling in the lip or chin area
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When does a facial swelling requires examination
Facial and neck swellings can be very different in symptoms and manifestations - from completely painless to very painful; growing rapidly or slowly; changing the colour of the skin over them or not.
It is necessary to seek medical or dental advice at:
- rapidly increasing swelling of the face/neck or an existing lump that does not go away spontaneously for up to 1-2 weeks, whether painful or not
- varying degrees of pain, pinching or discomfort
- fever and/or general malaise
- difficulty opening the mouth
- difficulty swallowing, speaking or breathing
Such symptoms can be a sign of a serious inflammatory or other disease process and require timely diagnosis.
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Importance of early diagnosis
Timely examination allows to establishing the cause of the swelling and determine the appropriate treatment. Many diseases in the maxillofacial region can be successfully treated when diagnosed at an early stage.
Author:
Bulgarian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery