A swollen jaw is a troubling symptom that can have a variety of causes. Some of the most common causes of a swollen jaw include traumatic injury, infection, or dental problems. Cysts or tumors may also cause the jaw to swell, depending on their size and location. A disorder affecting the muscles and joints of the jaw, referred to as TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorder, is another potential culprit. Any questions or concerns about the development of a swollen jaw should be addressed with a doctor or other medical professional.
Traumatic injuries are among the most obvious causes of a swollen jaw. These injuries may occur from such things as accidental sports injuries, automobile accidents, or physical abuse. An injury such as this should be evaluated by a doctor right away to make sure the jaw is not fractured or to ensure that the muscles or nerves have not suffered significant damage. Depending on the type of injury present, surgical intervention may become necessary.
Infections and dental issues may sometimes cause a swollen jaw. The infections could be related to underlying dental issues or may stem from a systemic infection that settles in the lymph nodes. Prescription antibiotics are typically needed to clear up the infection and can be prescribed by either a doctor or a dentist. Dental issues such as cavities, abscesses, and broken or otherwise damaged teeth may sometimes cause the jaw to swell. Proper medical and dental care is important, as infections that begin in the mouth are able to migrate to other areas of the body, sometimes leading to quite serious medical complications.
Cysts or tumors are rather uncommon, although they may cause the jaw to swell if they are present. If the mass cannot be detected upon physical examination and other causes have been ruled out, the doctor or dentist may order additional tests, such as x-rays, in order to diagnose the problem. In many cases, surgical intervention to remove the mass is necessary.
TMJ, also referred to as temporomandibular joint disorder, affects the muscles surrounding the jaw as well as the joint that allows the jaw to move. In some cases, this condition may result in a swollen jaw that often resolves on its own, only to recur later. While over-the-counter or prescription medications may help with some of the symptoms associated with this disorder, extreme cases of TMJ frequently require some sort of surgical intervention.
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anon244354
Post 7 |
My jaw has been swollen for about three years now and no doctor could tell what the problem is. I had a bunch of tests including an MRI and CT scan, and saw several specialists, but nothing! It doesn't hurt, but it's just freaky to have one side of the face so swollen. I lost my insurance -- not that it helped when I had it. |
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shell4life
Post 6 |
I have TMJ, but my case isn't severe enough to warrant surgery. It only flares up now and then, but when it does, it can be really painful.
Every time that I yawn or open my mouth very wide, my jaw pops. This isn't painful, though it might sound like it would be. The pain only comes when the muscles and joints become inflamed and swell.
During this time, it is hard to open my mouth because of the pain. It's a dull ache that throbs through my face, and it's hard to eat during an episode of pain like this.
All I can do is take ibuprofen to ease the inflammation. It helps the swelling subside, and after a few days, I'm back to normal. |
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wavy58
Post 5 |
@cloudel – The two types of pain are very different. I have had both, and when the actual jaw is swollen, it hurts much worse.
I once had a sinus infection that made my neck swell right under my jaw line. I could also feel some swelling under my ear. This area was sore to the touch, and it also hurt a little when I turned my head.
When my jaw muscles and joints were swollen, the pain seemed to go all the way to the bone. It can be likened to a tooth ache, and you have to do something to ease the pain, because it is unbearable.
Since you have not yet sought treatment, I am guessing that yours is some sort of infection. If it doesn't go away in about a week, then you might need antibiotics to treat it. |
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cloudel
Post 4 |
If you have swelling on the side of your face, how do you tell if it is your actual jaw that is swollen or if you have swollen glands under your jaw? I have noticed some puffiness and soreness in that area, and I'm not sure where it's coming from.
My sister keeps telling me to go to the doctor, but my hope is that I merely have a sinus infection or something that will resolve itself in a few days. It's really sore and uncomfortable, but I hate going to the doctor when it isn't absolutely necessary. |
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seag47
Post 3 |
@backdraft – I don't know how you tolerated that for six whole days! I had a swollen jaw on one side after I got hit by a baseball, and I couldn't even wait one day to get treatment.
I got hit on a Sunday afternoon, and I knew that I could have seen a doctor early Monday morning, but it hurt so much that I asked my friend to take me to the emergency room right away. Of course, this cost much more than a regular doctor's visit, but the pain was so great that I didn't care.
Since it was only bruised and not broken, all the doctor could do was give me pain killers, but this was enough for me. He told me to keep an ice pack on it, even once the pain pill kicked in and I didn't hurt anymore, because this would make the swelling go down quicker. |
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Ivan83
Post 2 |
I remember I had a swollen jaw for what seemed like forever after I got my wisdom teeth taken out. That was a pretty miserable recovery for a lot of reasons but I think my jaw was the worst part.
It just felt huge and there was a lot of pain. The day after the surgery I could barely move it. I seriously thought there was something wrong for a while. My doctor assured me that it was normal and that I would just have to tough it out. So that's what I did and with time it passed. Thank God you only have to get your wisdom teeth taken out once. |
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backdraft
Post 1 |
I had a bike accident recently and ended up with a swollen jaw for almost a week. I lost my balance on some water and ended up going face first into a light post. The right side of my jaw took pretty much all of the impact.
I woke up the next day and my jaw was a lot larger than it is supposed to be. I knew it wasn't broken because I could still move it around it just felt very stiff and swollen.
I don't have heath insurance so I didn't want to go to the doctor. I just iced it whenever I could and tried to eat out of the other side of my mouth. It was annoying but it went away after about 6 days and I don't have and lasting effects. |
