What Is a Jaw Infection and What Does It Feel Like?
If you are experiencing and suffering from some swelling of your jaw, face, or around your lymph nodes you might have a jaw infection. You could also have some pain from the swelling. You might also have swollen gums that are filled with pus which is from an infected tooth.
Your dentist can treat conditions that affect your jaw, as well as your neck and head. Your dentist will usually work in a multidisciplinary fashion so that the best possible treatment can be chosen and applied for your solution.
Several Symptoms of Jaw Infections
Symptoms of a jaw infection or a dental abscess can include the following:
- Redness or swelling.
- Pain in your mouth or jaw.
- Drainage of pus from the immediate area.
You should make a dental appointment immediately for an abscess. Your dentist will drain the infection and will most likely prescribe an antibiotic. If severe, the tooth may need to be extracted or a root canal performed to stop the infection from spreading.
Signs and symptoms of a tooth abscess include:
- A persistent, severe, throbbing toothache that can radiate to your jawbone, neck, or an ear.
- Swelling in your cheek or face.
- An increased sensitivity to both hot and cold temperatures.
- Sensitivity to the pressure of biting and chewing.
- A fever.
- Tender, swollen lymph nodes.
- Developing a difficulty with breathing or swallowing.
These risk factors will increase the risk of a tooth abscess:
- Poor dental hygiene - Not exercising proper at home oral hygiene, such as not brushing your teeth twice a day and not flossing, will dramatically increase your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and a tooth abscess.
- A diet high in sugar- Eating and drinking foods with a high concentration of sugar, such as sweets and sodas, will contribute to dental cavities and develop a tooth abscess.
- Dry mouth - Having a dry mouth will increase your risk of tooth decay. Dry mouth is a side effect of some medications and aging.
Jaw-related Conditions That Should be Treated
- Jaw Trauma can be caused by an injury or an accident. Your dentist understands the importance of your facial appearance, as well as your self-esteem, and will develop a plan to reconstruct function as well as cosmetic appearance.
- Jaw deformities can be corrected and improved using orthodontic or surgical techniques. Understanding the contribution of your jaw to your overall appearance and level of self-confidence, your dentist can collaborate with specialists, including facial plastic surgeons and otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat doctors) to restore your jaw to its full functionality, as well as a pleasing aesthetic result.
- Jawbone infections and dental abscesses can be the result of not treating dental cavities. Bacteria will form and cause an infection. If left untreated, the infection will travel into your jawbone and then cause serious health issues.
When to See Your Dentist
Schedule an appointment to see your dentist promptly if you have any signs or symptoms of a tooth abscess.
If you have swelling in your face or a fever, difficulty breathing or swallowing, and you cannot reach your dentist, visit an emergency room. These symptoms may indicate that the infection has spread into your jaw and the surrounding tissue.