Symptoms
Swelling and Infection
An infection in the mouth can spread to the face, under the jaw and into the neck. These pages set out which swelling can be watched, which needs a dentist the same day and which means A&E.
Swelling and Infection
- Lump in the Throat Feeling: Globus, or When Is It Serious?A lump in the throat feeling is usually globus. A home test that separates it from difficulty swallowing, cancer rates over long follow-up, and warning signs.
- Painless Hard Lump in the Neck: The 2-Week Rule and AfterAn adult neck lump that is painless, hard or fixed and has not shrunk in 2 weeks is investigated: which doctor, which tests in what order, why not antibiotics.
- Swollen Lymph Node in the Neck: When Does It Matter?A swollen lymph node in the neck is usually a reaction to infection. How long it lasts, cancer risk by age, the node above the collarbone, when to see a doctor.
- Swelling Under the Jaw: Lymph Node or Salivary Gland?The signs that tell whether swelling under the jaw comes from a dental lymph node or a salivary gland stone, the meal test, and the symptoms counted as urgent.
- Broken Jaw: Symptoms, Emergency Signs and TreatmentTeeth no longer meeting properly after a blow, or a numb lower lip? The symptoms of a broken jaw, emergency signs, first aid and the treatment options.
- Jawbone Infection (Osteomyelitis): Symptoms and UrgencyA socket that won't close after an extraction, fever and swelling: dry socket, osteomyelitis or MRONJ? The timescales that tell them apart, and urgent signs.
- Dental Abscess Symptoms: Which Are an Emergency?How a dental abscess starts, what a bump on the gum or a sore on the chin means, which signs mean 112, and what to ask when you see the dentist.
- Swelling in Front of the Ear: Salivary Gland or Lymph Node?Swelling in front of the ear usually comes from a salivary gland. What swelling that grows with meals, a fever or no pain means, and why facial palsy needs 112.
- Sore Throat on One Side: Could It Be a Tooth? Urgent SignsA one-sided sore throat can come from a wisdom tooth, a dental abscess or a tonsil abscess. The signs that tell them apart, urgent symptoms and when to see ENT.
- Salivary Gland Infection (Sialadenitis): Signs and TreatmentFeverish, red, painful swelling in front of the ear or under the jaw: bacterial salivary gland infection. Stone vs mumps, treatment, abscess, recurrence.
- Swelling Under the Jaw When Eating: a Salivary Stone?Swelling under the jaw that comes with food and settles in 1–2 hours is often a salivary stone. What to try at home, what ultrasound misses, saving the gland.
- Swollen Cheek: A Tooth, a Salivary Gland or an Allergy?A swollen cheek can come from a dental abscess, a salivary gland, a knock or an allergy. The telling signs, normal swelling after an extraction, emergencies.
- Difficulty Swallowing: Causes, Urgent Signs, Which DoctorIf you cannot swallow, are drooling or short of breath, call 112. Throat and dental infection, dry mouth, food stuck and nerve-related swallowing problems.
- Face Drooping on One Side: Stroke or Facial Palsy?If one side of the face suddenly drops, think stroke first: FAST and 112. The 72-hour treatment window for Bell's palsy and facial palsy after dental treatment.
- Facial Cellulitis and Ludwig's Angina: Signs and TreatmentHow facial cellulitis from a tooth differs from an abscess, how to recognise Ludwig's angina, why mouth opening is a late sign, and when to call 112.
- Facial Swelling: When Is a Dental Abscess Urgent?How facial swelling from a tooth runs its course, what spreading to the eye or neck means, which symptoms mean A&E, and where antibiotics fit in this picture.