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Florida Measles Case: What To Know About Florida's Reported Cases, Vaccinations, Symptoms
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What Causes Swollen Cheeks?
The swelling area can help a doctor identify the problem. For example, an infection may cause swelling in only one cheek.
Below, find more examples of causes of swelling according to the affected area:
One cheek
Conditions that may lead to swelling in one cheek include:
Inside the cheek
Swelling on the inner lining of the cheek may indicate:
Alongside swollen gums
Cheek and gum swelling often indicates an infection of the gums or a tooth abscess.
Pericoronitis, for example, is an infection that occurs around a tooth that has only partially broken through the gums, and it can lead to cheek swelling.
An injury from a fall or blunt force, for example, can damage soft tissue and bones in the face, resulting in facial swelling and pain.
Minor injuries often heal independently, but anyone who suspects an injury may be more severe should receive medical attention.
Treatment
When swelling in a cheek results from a minor injury, it may help to:
However, if an injury seems more severe, it is best to receive professional care.
Tooth decay is a common oral health condition occurring due to the presence of acids that break down the enamel coating of teeth.
Untreated decay can lead to infection around the root of the tooth. If the infection becomes more severe, a pocket of pus, called an abscess, may form, leading to swelling.
Treatment
A dentist or oral surgeon can treat a tooth abscess by surgically draining it and rinsing the area with saline water. They may also prescribe antibiotics.
Mumps is a contagious viral infection of the salivary glands. Symptoms, including swelling in the jaw and cheeks, may appear 2 to 4 weeks after the initial infection.
Other symptoms of mumps include:
Treatment
As with many other viral infections, no specific treatment exists for mumps. However, people can manage symptoms with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications.
Vaccination is the most effective way of lowering the risk of mumps. The mumps vaccine comes in two doses and is available for children.
Salivary stones are calcium deposits that form in the salivary glands. Another name for this issue is sialolithiasis.
Salivary stones most commonly affect people aged 30 to 60 and are more common in males.
The exact cause of salivary stones remains unknown. However, they can form when bacteria and food particles enter the salivary glands.
If a person does not receive treatment, a salivary stone can block a salivary duct and lead to an infection. Symptoms of an infected salivary gland can include:
Treatment
The right treatment depends on the size and number of stones.
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs can help reduce swelling and pain, and a doctor may try to free the stone by massaging the affected salivary gland.
If an infection develops, the doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics. If one or more stones are large, they may require surgical removal.
Lymphadenitis occurs when one or more lymph nodes swell in response to an infection in the area. If the infection is in the head or neck, it may lead to swelling in one or both cheeks.
Treatment
In a small 2019 review, researchers found that antibiotic treatment was effective when lymphadenitis resulted from bacterial infection. In this research, Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare were the species responsible.
However, antibiotic resistance can cause difficulties. A 2015 review found that when Staphylococcus aureus bacteria were responsible and resistant to antibiotics, surgery was sometimes required.
Cushing's disease is a specific type of Cushing's syndrome in which a tumor on the pituitary gland causes it to produce too much adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which signals the adrenal glands to make too much cortisol.
Cushing's syndrome is broken down into different categories (endogenous and exogenous) and has different causes, including taking too many corticosteroids (such as prednisone).
People with Cushing's syndrome may experience weight gain and puffiness in the face. Other symptoms include:
Treatment
Cushing's syndrome responds to medications that lower cortisol production in the adrenal glands or decrease adrenocorticotropic hormone production in the pituitary gland.
If the cause is taking too much corticosteroid, then the treatment is to wean someone off the medication. However, a person must reduce use of these medications, as opposed to stopping abruptly. Abrupt cessation can cause an adrenal crisis.
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