Swelling in the mouth

introduction

Swelling in the mouth is relatively common. They usually start from the oral mucosa and can be caused by numerous diseases.
They are usually associated with severe pain, especially when chewing, or with difficulty swallowing.
The most common causes of painful swelling in the mouth are dental diseases, such as tooth decay or inflammation of the roots of the teeth.
But salivary glands can also become inflamed and cause painful swellings. Regular cooling, soothing teas such as chamomile tea or sage tea, as well as anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or paracetamol help best against swelling.

Read more on the topic: Swollen lining of the mouth

causes

The most common causes of swelling in the mouth are dental diseases, for example tooth decay or inflammation of the roots of the teeth. They often lead to intense, boring pain and severe swelling of the cheek. Even after dental operations, for example after the removal of the wisdom teeth, the local trauma can lead to severe, painful swelling in the mouth area.

Other causes of swelling in the mouth are inflammation of the salivary glands. Salivary glands can become inflamed either by salivary stones, which clog the duct of the gland and lead to a build-up of secretion, or by viruses and bacteria. The parotid gland in particular can easily become inflamed.
A very common condition that causes inflammation of the parotid gland is mumps. Nowadays, however, thanks to a vaccination, mumps is rarely found in Germany. Mumps always leads to a painful swelling of the parotid glands, which begins on one side at first and then affects the other parotid gland as well.
The allergic reaction must always be distinguished from the infectious and inflammatory causes of swelling in the mouth. In the case of allergy sufferers, typical allergic symptoms can occur after ingestion of an allergen.These include severe swelling of the lining of the mouth, nose and throat, which can be accompanied by itching, rashes, a furry feeling on the tongue and life-threatening obstruction of the airways. An allergic reaction is always an emergency and an emergency doctor should always be called for.

Ultimately, however, tumors, for example floor cancer or tumors of the salivary glands, can also manifest themselves as swelling in the mouth. Salivary gland tumors are often painless and usually only noticeable through a slow, increasing swelling in the mouth / cheek area.
Oral floor cancer, on the other hand, is often associated with painful swelling in the mouth and swallowing disorders. Risk factors for both types of tumors are smoking, alcoholism, poor oral hygiene, and ionizing radiation. A painful or painless swelling in the mouth that has persisted, increased in size, should always be clarified by an ENT doctor or a dentist.

Read more about this under: Swelling - what's behind it?

Swelling in the upper jaw

Swelling in the upper jaw is often accompanied by swelling in the roof of the mouth when injured. The most common reason for isolated swelling of the upper jaw is caries disease.

A Swelling of the upper jaw usually occurs as a result of Dental disease, for example Caries, on. However, it can also occur as a result of allergic reactions or when eating too hot or sharp-edged food.
In the latter, there is an injury to the oral mucosa in the area of ​​the palate, which is also mild Swelling of the palate can go hand in hand, but usually regresses within a few hours. Another cause of swelling in the upper jaw is Interventions or operations on the teeth or in the mouth area.

Swelling in the lower jaw

A Swelling in the lower jaw is also mostly the result of Dental disease or interventions or operations in the mouth area. Inflammation of the small salivary gland, the so-called submandibular gland and sublingual gland, can also lead to swelling of the floor of the mouth.
The two salivary glands mentioned above are located in the floor of the mouth, below the tongue, and together with the parotid gland form saliva. You are at risk for the formation of Salivary stonesthat can clog the ducts of the glands. Mostly they go with sudden Pain when eating and swelling of the floor of the mouth.
Salivary gland tumors can cause painless, slowly increasing swelling in the lower part of the mouth.

Further information can also be found at Inflammation of the salivary glands.

Swelling of the cheek

The most frequent root cause for one-sided swelling of the cheek Tooth infections, or inflammation of the parotid gland, especially those affecting the molars or wisdom teeth.
They are often very painful and cause great suffering for those affected and should always be treated by a dentist.
Another cause of cheek swelling is Parotid disorders. The parotid gland is created in pairs and is located below the zygomatic arch, approximately at the level of the ear, and is located directly under the skin. It makes up most of the saliva. Their duct ends directly above the second molar, in the space between the inside of the cheek and the row of teeth.
A unilateral, painful swelling the parotid gland often suggests inflammation of the parotid gland. Pathogens can be bacteria, often staphylococci, but also mumps viruses. The main risk factors for an inflammation with staphylococci are decreased salivation and a weak immune system. Infection with the mumps virus is rather rare these days due to the vaccination.
mumps leaves with a severe, painful swelling in the cheek accompanied by a high fever, Pain when chewing and a high feeling of illness. Children between the ages of 2 and 15 are often affected. The only therapeutic help here is cooling compresses, drinking soothing, anti-inflammatory teas and, if necessary, taking painkillers. Mumps can often lead to serious comorbidities such as inflammation of the testicles, pancreas or meninges.

A one-sided painless swelling of the cheek, can for one Parotid tumor speak and should be clarified by an ENT doctor. The main risk factors are long-term smoking and ionizing radiation.
A swelling of the cheeks on both sides can occur in the course of a mumps infection, as well as in the case of a Sialadenosis. The latter are repeated, non-inflammatory, non-painful Swelling of the parotid glands. Causes can be alcohol abuse, poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, but also eating disorders that are associated with malnutrition. Therapeutically, treatment of the underlying disease is recommended here.

You will find more information on this topic here: Inflammation of the parotid gland

Symptoms

Swelling in the mouth is often accompanied by toothache or pain when chewing, depending on the cause. A swollen cheek often shows up.
In addition, difficulty swallowing can occur. In the case of an allergic cause, rapid, severe swelling in the mouth after contact with the allergen, a furry feeling on the tongue, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat and difficulty swallowing can be seen. An allergic reaction can always be life-threatening, which is why an emergency doctor should be called immediately.

Read more on the subject: Bump on the roof of the mouth

therapy

The first thing to do when you have an inflammatory swelling in your mouth is to close it Cool. For example, ice cubes in a towel can be placed on the swollen area.
The local cold causes the blood vessels to contract, and the swelling something goes back. Furthermore you can soothing teas, for example Camomile tea or Sage tea, drunk or used to gargle. chamomile and sage work anti-inflammatory, calming and pain relieving.
It is important for inflammation of the salivary glands To stimulate salivation, it helps here chewing gum to chew, sweets to suck or to drink lemon tea.
If the swelling in the mouth is very painful, you can also take anti-inflammatory drugs, for example Ibuprofen or Paracetamol, help. However, longer existing swelling in the mouth should always be clarified and treated by a doctor. In the case of one Caries or Root inflammation must be a Rehabilitation of the affected tooth respectively. In the case of inflammation of the salivary glands, the use of antibiotics is often necessary.

Swelling after a wisdom tooth operation

Swelling in the mouth can often occur after procedures in the mouth area, for example after the removal of a wisdom tooth. It is often associated with high levels of suffering for those affected and is accompanied by severe pain.
The operation causes local trauma in the oral mucosa, which is always associated with a natural inflammatory reaction in the body.
The symptoms usually last for several days, but decrease in intensity as the disease progresses. In terms of therapy, constant cooling, drinking soothing, warm, unsweetened teas and avoiding solid, spicy or spicy foods and hot beverages can help. At the beginning you should rather eat soups and porridge.

Read more on the topic: Swelling after wisdom tooth surgery

Smoking and alcohol should also be avoided after the operation because they can disrupt wound healing and intensify the inflammatory reaction.
In addition, painkillers can be taken if the pain is severe. If the course is uncomplicated, the wound usually heals within a few days and the swelling and pain decrease. If there is no improvement or even worsening of the symptoms within a few days, this may indicate an inflammation of the wound. The attending physician should therefore be consulted again.

Read more on the topic: Inflammation after a wisdom tooth operation