Facial Swelling Treatment in Beverly Hills
If your face, cheek or jaw is swollen and a tooth or gum problem may be the cause, our facial swelling treatment in Beverly Hills starts with a same-day exam to find the source and relieve the pressure safely. Dental swelling is usually an infection that will not clear on its own, so call (310) 858-9212 and we will tell you how soon we can see you. If the swelling is spreading to your eye or neck, or you have trouble breathing or swallowing, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room now.
What Causes Facial Swelling?
| What you notice | What to do |
| Trouble breathing, swallowing or speaking, or drooling | Call 911 now |
| Swelling spreading to the eye, closing the eye, or spreading down the neck | Go to the emergency room now |
| Swelling under the tongue or the floor of the mouth feels raised | Go to the emergency room now |
| High fever, chills, feeling very unwell or confused | Emergency room or urgent medical care today |
| Swollen cheek or jaw that is getting bigger, with tooth pain | Same-day dentist |
| Can only open your mouth a little | Same-day dentist |
| Small swelling or a bump on the gum, no fever | Dentist within 24 to 48 hours |
Swelling under the tongue and jaw can be a sign of Ludwig angina, a spreading infection that MedlinePlus describes as a medical emergency because it can block the airway. Mayo Clinic also advises going to an emergency room if you have fever and facial swelling and cannot reach your dentist.
Where Is the Swelling? Common Dental Causes
Where you are swollen | Common dental cause |
Cheek | Infected upper or lower back tooth, gum abscess |
Under the eye or beside the nose | Infected upper canine or premolar |
Upper lip | Infected upper front tooth |
Lower jaw or along the jawline | Infected lower molar, often after deep decay or a cracked tooth |
Under the chin or under the jaw | Infected lower tooth, or a swollen lymph node or salivary gland |
Back of the jaw, with trouble opening | Infected or partly erupted wisdom tooth |
Gum only | Gum abscess or gum disease |
The most common reason is a tooth abscess, a pocket of infection at the root of a tooth caused by deep cavities, a broken tooth or an old injury.
Swelling after a dental visit
Mild swelling after an extraction, implant or deep cleaning is normal and usually peaks around day 2 or 3. Swelling that keeps growing after that, or comes with fever, needs to be checked. If you had a root canal recently, read swelling after a root canal. A sore, swollen muscle under the chin after an injection usually settles within days, but tell us if it gets worse.
When the cause may not be dental
Not all facial swelling comes from teeth. Allergic reactions, sinus infections, skin infections and salivary gland problems can look similar. MedlinePlus notes that salivary gland infections cause swelling and pain that is often worse when eating. If we find no dental cause, we will tell you and point you to the right doctor.
Sudden swelling of the lips, face or tongue with hives or trouble breathing may be an allergic reaction. Call 911.
What Happens at Your Visit
1. Quick triage. We check your breathing, swallowing, temperature and how far the swelling has spread. If you need hospital care, we tell you straight away.
2. Find the source. A focused dental exam and digital X-rays show which tooth or area is infected.
3. Relieve the pressure. Depending on the cause, this may mean opening the tooth to let the infection drain, draining a gum abscess, or cleaning out an infected gum pocket. Most people feel less throbbing soon after.
4. Treat the cause.
- Root canal therapy to save the tooth when possible
- Extraction if the tooth cannot be saved
- Deep cleaning for a gum abscess
- Antibiotics only when the infection is spreading or you have fever or swollen glands
5. Follow-up. We check that the swelling is going down, usually within a few days, and plan any final treatment such as a crown.
Why antibiotics alone are not enough
Antibiotics can calm a spreading infection, but they cannot clean out the source inside a tooth. The American Dental Association guideline recommends treating the tooth itself, and using antibiotics only when infection has spread or the patient is unwell. If you were given antibiotics at urgent care or the ER, you still need the tooth treated, even if the swelling goes down.
Why Choose ConfiDental Beverly Hills for Facial Swelling Treatment
Do:
- Hold a cold pack on the outside of your cheek, 15 to 20 minutes at a time
- Sleep with your head raised on an extra pillow
- Take over the counter pain relief as directed on the label
- Rinse gently with warm salt water
- Sip fluids and eat soft, cool food
Do not:
- Put heat on your face (it can draw the infection outward)
- Squeeze or try to pop a swelling or gum bump
- Put aspirin or other tablets against the gum
- Take leftover antibiotics from an old prescription
- Wait to see if it goes away on its own
Can a Tooth Infection Become Dangerous?
Rarely, but yes, which is why facial swelling is never something to ignore. Untreated dental infections can spread into the deep spaces of the neck, the eye socket or the bloodstream. The CDC lists confusion, shortness of breath, a high heart rate, fever or shivering, extreme pain and clammy skin as possible signs of sepsis, which needs emergency care.
How Long Does Facial Swelling Take to Go Down?
After treatment | What to expect |
First 24 to 48 hours | Throbbing and pressure ease once the infection drains |
2 to 5 days | Visible swelling shrinks steadily |
About 1 to 2 weeks | Most swelling is gone; the tooth is finished with a filling or crown |
If swelling is not clearly improving after 48 hours of treatment, call us.
Facial Swelling Treatment Cost
Treatment | Typical cost |
Urgent exam and X-rays | $100 to $250 |
Draining an abscess |
|
Root canal (front tooth to molar) | $700 to $1,500, plus a crown for most back teeth |
Simple or surgical extraction | $150 to $600 depending on difficulty |
Deep cleaning for a gum abscess | per quadrant |
Typical ranges, not a quote. We explain the cost of each step before we start. Dental insurance usually covers part of urgent infection care. See understanding dental insurance and our payment options.
When You Can Reach Us
Monday to Thursday | 9 AM to 5 PM. Swelling cases are fitted in the same day whenever possible. |
Friday | 9 AM to 4 PM |
Call as early in the day as you can. You do not need to be an existing patient. For other urgent problems, see our emergency dentist page.
Why Choose ConfiDental Beverly Hills for Facial Swelling Treatment
Dr. Liyan Massaband | Confidental Beverly hills
Dr. Liyan Massaband, DMD, MPH earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine from Midwestern University and her Master of Public Health from the University of Southern California, and is licensed by the Dental Board of California. With more than 15 years of practice, she treats dental infections every week, explains what is happening in plain language, and refers to a hospital or specialist the same day when that is the safer path.
Read Dr. Massaband’s full profile.
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Facial Swelling FAQs
Should I go to the ER or a dentist for a swollen face?
Go to the ER or call 911 if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling near your eye or down your neck, swelling under your tongue, or a high fever. For a swollen cheek or jaw with tooth pain and no warning signs, a same-day dentist is usually the right place, because they can treat the tooth that is causing it.
Can a tooth infection cause facial swelling?
Yes. It is the most common dental cause. When infection at the root of a tooth spreads into the surrounding tissue, the cheek, jaw, lip or area under the eye can swell.
Will antibiotics make my facial swelling go down?
They can help when infection is spreading, but they do not remove the source inside the tooth. Without dental treatment, the swelling often returns once the antibiotics stop.
How long does facial swelling last after a tooth infection is treated?
Pressure usually eases within a day or two, visible swelling shrinks over two to five days, and most of it is gone within about one to two weeks.
Can a tooth infection make my eye swell?
Yes. Infections in upper teeth, especially canines and premolars, can cause swelling under or around the eye. Swelling that closes the eye or comes with fever, vision changes or a severe headache needs emergency care.
Should I use heat or ice for a swollen face from a tooth?
Use a cold pack on the outside of your cheek. Avoid heat, which can encourage infection to spread toward the skin.
Is swelling under my jaw always from a tooth?
No. It can come from an infected lower tooth, but also from swollen lymph nodes or a salivary gland problem. An exam and X-ray help tell the difference.
Can facial swelling go away on its own?
Swelling from a tooth infection may go down for a while, especially if it drains, but the infection stays and usually returns. It needs dental treatment.