--- title: "Swollen Jaw Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment" url: "https://www.newmouth.com/oral-health/swollen-jaw/" description: "When to Seek Medical Help If you are experiencing pain in your jaw, swollen gums, or difficulty chewing, consult a dentist or doctor. If you have a fever or if the pain worsens over time, seek medical attention as soon as possible. In some cases, an infection in the mouth may cause swelling. Antibiotics or a simple..." --- ## When to Seek Medical Help **If you are experiencing pain in your jaw, swollen gums, or difficulty chewing, consult a dentist or doctor.** **If you have a fever or if the pain worsens over time, seek medical attention as soon as possible.** In some cases, an infection in the mouth may cause swelling. Antibiotics or a simple dental procedure can usually treat this. However, you may need surgery if you experience severe pain and swelling that does not go away after 2 weeks of treatment. If you have additional symptoms with a swollen jaw, speak to a doctor rather than a dentist. ## Can Jaw Swelling Cause Complications? **A common complication associated with jaw swelling is difficulty swallowing or breathing.** This can lead to choking and aspiration pneumonia if the person cannot clear the food from the throat. ## 8 Potential Causes of Swelling in the Jaw and Neck **Swelling in the jaw and surrounding areas has multiple causes.** **Recognizing your symptoms can help determine whether the cause is severe.** ### 1\. Viral infections **Viral infections, such as those that cause mononucleosis or the flu, often cause lymph nodes in the neck to swell.** If you experience these swollen glands, a virus could be causing them. #### Symptoms You may also experience other symptoms, such as: - Fatigue - Fever - Headache - Sore throat If you have these symptoms and swollen lymph nodes that don’t improve after a few days, speak to your doctor. They will check that the infection is not something more severe like an abscess. #### Treatment Antibiotics do not work for viral infections. Antiviral medications, however, help the body fight off harmful viruses by easing symptoms and shortening the length of an infection. ### 2\. Tonsillitis ![Detailed human Tonsillitis chart](/_astro/Detailed-human-Tonsillitis-chart-1024x768.e6RuKSTP_R68gd.webp) #### Symptoms Symptoms of tonsillitis include: - Sore throat - Fever - Headache - Swollen lymph nodes in the neck - Difficulty swallowing food or drink (dysphagia) - Ear pain (otalgia) - Bad breath (halitosis) - Nausea and vomiting #### Treatment Healthcare providers usually prescribe antibiotics to prevent the bacterial infection from spreading. Surgeons may need to remove your tonsils if they become severely infected, or if your tonsils keep getting re-infected. ### 3\. Thyroid Nodules The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ in the neck, just below the larynx. It produces hormones that help regulate metabolism and control how quickly the body uses energy. The thyroid gland also makes hormones that affect the body’s sensitivity to other hormones. ![Medical illustration of the effects of the thyroid cancer](/_astro/Medical-illustration-of-the-effects-of-the-thyroid-cancer-1024x768.BQG1l_ld_LdmoC.webp) Thyroid nodules are small lumps that form on the thyroid gland. They can be cancerous or benign (not cancerous). Most thyroid nodules are benign. #### Symptoms Symptoms may include: - A lump in the neck - A tickling sensation in the throat - Ear pain - Neck pain #### Treatment Benign nodules can be treated with medication or surgery if they cause discomfort or other problems. Malignant nodules must be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy. ### 4\. Strep Throat Streptococcal pharyngitis, also known as strep throat, is a bacterial infection caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus bacteria that results in tonsil swelling. The infection usually starts with a sore throat and a fever and can impact surrounding areas, like the jaw. Left untreated, it can lead to complications such as rheumatic fever and kidney damage. #### Symptoms Common symptoms of strep throat include: - Fever - Pain when swallowing - Swollen tonsils, sometimes with pus or white patches - Tiny, red spots on the roof of the mouth (petechiae) #### Treatment The most common treatment for this condition is antibiotics. Doctors typically prescribe penicillin or amoxicillin to treat the infection. It is important to finish the entire course of antibiotics to prevent the infection from returning. ### 5\. Cancer Approximately 1.2% of people will be diagnosed with cancer of the oral cavity and/or pharynx at some point in their life. Oral cancer usually starts in the cells lining the inside of the mouth and throat. It can also affect parts of the voice box, tonsils, and other nearby tissues. Oral cancer is typically caused by tobacco or alcohol abuse, but it can also be caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and certain types of herpes virus infections. Other types of cancer that may cause swelling in the head and neck area include throat and thyroid cancer. If cancer from other areas spreads to the lymph nodes, the lymph nodes can also become swollen. #### Symptoms Symptoms vary depending on the type of cancer but may include: - Red or white patches - Pain, tenderness, or numbness in the mouth or lips - A sore or irritation that doesn’t go away - A lump, rough spot, crust, or small sore area that doesn’t go away - Difficulty moving the tongue or jaw while chewing, swallowing, or speaking #### Treatment First, a doctor will conduct a physical examination. They may order X-rays or other imaging tests to identify the location and size of the tumor. Oral cancer treatment depends on the location, size, and whether it has spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Treatment can include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or a combination. ### 6\. Tooth Abscess A tooth abscess results from bacteria entering your tooth and creating a pocket of pus, which can cause swelling around your gums. This can be attributed to gum disease, broken teeth, trauma or injury to the teeth, and big cavities. ![Tooth Abscess illustration](/_astro/Tooth-Abscess-illustration-1024x819.BUuDeUlK_Z1Ca5Ft.webp) #### Symptoms Symptoms may include: - Fever - Intense, throbbing tooth pain - Pain that radiates outwards toward the ear, jaw, and neck - Red and swollen gums #### Treatment Abscessed teeth are a serious condition. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the surrounding areas, including the jawbone and surrounding teeth and soft tissues. If you suspect you have an abscessed tooth, visit a dentist as soon as possible. Treatment involves draining the abscess of pus and administering antibiotics. ### 7\. Pericoronitis ![3d render of wisdom mesial impaction with pericoronitis](/_astro/3d-render-of-wisdom-mesial-impaction-with-pericoronitis-1024x778.CJ_UIKjO_Knwbi.webp) Pericoronitis is a condition that arises when the gum tissue surrounding a newly erupting tooth becomes inflamed. This condition commonly occurs when wisdom teeth come in, specifically when the teeth do not have enough room to erupt from the gums. The condition can lead to extensive damage to the teeth, jaw, and mouth if left untreated. #### Symptoms Symptoms may include: - Redness or swelling of the gums - Pus or drainage - Fever - Severe pain around the back teeth - Pain when swallowing - Difficulty opening your mouth Chronic pericoronitis symptoms may include: - Temporary achiness around the back teeth - A bad taste - Bad breath (halitosis) #### Treatment Treatment involves removing the tissue flap or wisdom tooth. ### 8\. Lyme Disease Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that spreads through the bite of infected ticks. #### Symptoms Symptoms may include: - A characteristic “bulls-eye” rash at the site of the tick bite - Flu-like illness - Fever - Muscle aches - Joint pain - Swelling or redness #### Treatment A short course of oral antibiotics, such as doxycycline or amoxicillin, cures most cases of early Lyme disease. For more complicated cases, Lyme disease is usually successfully treated with additional antibiotics. ## Why Do I Have Swelling Around My Jaws or Neck? The human jaw is an integral part of the body. It has many functions, including chewing and speaking. The jaw is connected to the skull and can be affected by diseases, trauma, and other serious health conditions. ## Summary Jaw and neck swelling can be symptoms of many conditions, such as an infection, injury, or inflammation. Certain medications may also cause swelling in these areas. **Speak to your doctor or dentist if you experience other symptoms or they don’t resolve themselves after a few days.**