Facial swelling can be an emergency situation, but is treating it a job for the emergency dentist or another doctor? Facial swelling can arise from a variety of causes such as injury or infection, but the root cause of the issue will determine which emergency healthcare provider you should see. Here’s how to tell if your facial swelling should be treated at the dentist’s office or at another medical facility.
What Can Cause Facial Swelling?
Facial swelling can be a very painful condition, and it has many different causes. A few include:
Tooth abscess
A tooth becomes abscessed when bacteria infect the gums around its root. This usually results in a swollen pocket of pus, resulting in the rapid onset of severe pain in the area. If left untreated, these bacteria can spread through the circulatory system to other parts of the body where they can cause dangerous secondary infections like sepsis. This sort of infection will not get better on its own, so it’s important to seek the attention of an emergency dentist.
Salivary gland infection
The cheeks host the salivary glands, and they can become swollen and severely painful if they are infected. This is usually caused when bacteria infect a gland that is not producing as much saliva as it used to. This can happen due to things like dehydration, malnutrition, excess mucus, inflammation of the gland duct, or health conditions such as Influenza, HIV, herpes, mumps, and others. In this case, you may need the attention of an ear, nose, and throat doctor or another medical professional.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis is a common health issue that happens when the nasal passages and sinuses become inflamed. This is usually due to allergies or an infection caused by a virus or bacteria. Sinusitis can have symptoms such as:
- Swelling around the nose and eyes
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Nasal congestion or a runny nose
- Soreness in the molars
If symptoms of sinusitis do not improve after several weeks, you should see an ears, nose, and throat doctor or another medical professional.
What Happens at an Emergency Dental Visit?
If you see your emergency dentist for facial swelling, they will probably examine your face, mouth, teeth, and gums before taking X-rays. If the problem is an abscessed tooth, they will remove the bacteria by draining the infected area or an extraction. The area will be cleaned and disinfected, and a crown will probably be placed on the damaged tooth. If the facial swelling is caused by something outside the field of dentistry, the dentist will refer you to another medical professional.
About the Practice
The Elegant Dentistry provides personalized dental treatments to the community of Oak Point, TX. Led by Drs. Pankti Patel and Jainisha Patel, the staff uses the latest technology and techniques while creating a friendly and welcoming environment. Areas of expertise include general, pediatric, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. To make an emergency appointment, dial (469) 598-1023 or contact the office online for more information.