A swollen jaw is a serious thing and should not be taken lightly. In most cases, the swelling is caused by the build up of pus that is pouring out of the jaw bone underneath the gums and skin. Prior to World War II it was common for people to die from dental infections and because of the appearance of new super antibiotic resistant bacteria, we may again see deaths from unmanageable infections.

          A swollen jaw is the result of something that first happened inside the jaw bone. Teeth are firmly embedded in their tooth sockets within the upper and lower jaw bones. When a tooth dies, the dead tooth gets infected and the infection spreads inside the bone. The pressure build up from the pus kills and dissolves the inside of the bone. A dental x-ray shows a large rounded black area at the tips of the roots of the tooth where the bone has been lost. It's called a periapical radiolucency resulting from a periapical dentoalveolar tooth abscess.

          A swollen jaw is the body's failed attempt to get rid of a jaw infection. Eventually the pus burrows out of the jaw bone and exits out under the gums. The gums stretch and the continued pressure from the pus balloons the gums out. In some cases the pus runs spreads out and pulls the gums off of the bone. It can move outward, upward and/or downward. The patient's face can become distorted as it rapidly balloons outward. If the pus enters the surrounding jaw muscles, it can cause opening problems.

        The most serious worry is death. If a spreading swollen jaw is left untreated, it can grow through the soft tissue of the face and cause dramatic facial swelling called cellulitis. If the swelling grows under the jaw, it can cause Ludwig's angina, block off the airway and suffocate the patient. Because we know that any oral change can be scary, we would be happy to see you. If you would like to consult with Atlanta Family Dentist, Dr. Mark Allan Padolsky, please make an appointment by calling 404-874-7428.