Swollen Jaw: Causes, Diagnosis, Treatments & When To See A Doctor

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HealthlineSubscribeWhy Is My Jaw Swollen and How Can I Treat It?

Medically reviewed by Christine Frank, DDS — Written by Adrienne Santos-Longhurst on May 10, 2019

Causes
Multiple symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Seeking medical help
Summary

A swollen jaw can be caused by a lump or swelling on or near your jaw, making it look fuller than usual. Depending on the cause, your jaw may feel stiff, or you may have pain and tenderness in the jaw, neck, or face.

There are a number of potential causes of a swollen jaw, from swollen glands in the neck or jaw caused by a virus, such as the common cold, to more serious illnesses, such as the mumps. Though rare, cancer can also cause a swollen jaw.

In some cases, swelling is a sign of a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis that requires urgent medical care.

Medical Emergency
Call 911 or your local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency room if you or someone else experiences sudden swelling of the face, mouth, or tongue, a rash, and difficulty breathing.

Swollen jaw bone causes

Here are possible causes of a swollen jaw and other symptoms that can help you narrow it down.

Swollen glands

Your glands, or lymph nodes, can swell in response to infection or illness. Swollen nodes are usually located close to the sight of the infection.

Swollen glands in the neck are common signs of a cold. Glands can also swell due to bacterial infections that require antibiotics.

Swollen glands caused by an infection may be tender to the touch and the skin over them may appear red. They usually return to normal when the infection clears. Swollen nodes caused by cancer, such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma, tend to be hard and fixed in place, and last longer than four weeks.

Trauma or injury

Trauma or injury from a fall or blow to the face can cause your jaw to swell. You’ll likely also have jaw pain and bruising. A broken or dislocated jaw, which requires immediate treatment, can make it hard to open or close your mouth.

Viral infections

Viral infections, such as a cold or mononucleosis, can cause the lymph nodes in your neck to swell. If your swollen jaw is caused by a viral infection, you’ll likely experience other symptoms, such as:

fatigue
sore throat
fever
headache

Bacterial infections

Some bacterial infections can cause the lymph nodes in your neck to swell, such as strep throat and bacterial tonsillitis.

Other symptoms of a bacterial infection include:

fever
sore throat
redness or white patches in the throat
enlarged tonsils
toothache
lump or blister on the gum

Tooth abscess

A tooth abscess occurs when bacteria enters the pulp of your tooth and causes a pocket of pus to form.

An abscessed tooth is a serious condition. Left untreated, the infection can spread to the jaw bone, other teeth, and other tissues. If you believe you have a tooth abscess see a dentist as soon as possible.

Symptoms of an abscess include:

intense, throbbing tooth pain
pain that radiates to your ear, jaw, and neck
swollen jaw or face
red and swollen gums
fever

Tooth extraction

Tooth extraction, or removal of a tooth, may be performed because of excessive tooth decay, gum disease, or teeth crowding.

Pain and swelling are normal in the first days following an extraction. You may also have some bruising. Taking pain medication and applying ice can help when recovering from a tooth extraction.

Pericoronitis

Pericoronitis is an infection and swelling of the gums that occurs when a wisdom tooth fails to come in or only partially erupts.

Mild symptoms include painful, swollen gum tissue around the affected tooth and a buildup of pus. Left untreated, the infection can spread to your throat and neck, causing swelling in your face and jaw, and enlarged lymph nodes in your neck and jaw.

Tonsillitis

Your tonsils are lymph nodes located on each side of the back of your throat. Tonsillitis is an infection of your tonsils, which can be caused by a virus or bacteria.

A very sore throat with swollen lymph glands in the neck and jaw are common symptoms of tonsillitis. Other symptoms include:

fever
swollen, red tonsils
hoarseness
painful swallowing
earache

Mumps

Mumps is a contagious viral infection that begins with fever, muscle aches, and headache. Swelling of the salivary glands is also common and causes puffy cheeks and swollen jaw. Your three major pairs of salivary glands are located on each side of your face, just above your jaw.

Other symptoms can include fatigue and loss of appetite. In severe cases, swelling of the brain, ovaries, or testicles can occur.

Vaccination can prevent mumps.

Salivary gland problem

A number of conditions can affect your salivary glands, including infections, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. The most common problems occur when the ducts become blocked, preventing proper drainage.

Salivary gland disorders and other problems include:

salivary gland stones (sialolithiasis)
infection of a salivary gland (sialadenitis)
viral infections, such as mumps
cancerous and noncancerous tumors
Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disorder
nonspecific salivary gland enlargement (sialadenosis)

Lyme disease

Lyme disease is serious bacterial infection that is transmitted through the bite of infected ticks.

Lyme disease symptoms often begin with:

fever
headache
bull’s-eye rash
swollen lymph nodes

Left untreated, the infection can spread to your joints, heart, and nervous system.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (chronic fatigue syndrome)

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (chronic fatigue syndrome) (ME/CFS) is disorder characterized by chronic fatigue that is not related to any underlying condition. It affects up to 2.5 million adults in the United States.

Symptoms of ME/CFS include:

fatigue
brain fog
unexplained muscle or joint pain
enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or armpits

Syphilis

Syphilis is a serious bacterial infection, usually spread through sexual contact. The condition develops in stages, often beginning with the development of a sore called a chancre at the site of infection.

In its secondary stage, syphilis can cause a sore throat and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Other symptoms can include a full-body rash, fever, and muscle aches.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common chronic degenerative disease that causes swelling, pain, and stiffness in the joints. The first sign of the condition is usually redness and inflammation over certain joints.

Some people with RA develop swollen lymph nodes and inflammation of the salivary glands. Inflammation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects your lower joint to your skull, is also common.

Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation and a wide range of symptoms that can affect any part of the body. Symptoms can come and go and range in severity. Swelling of the face, hands, legs, and feet are common early signs of lupus.

Other common symptoms include:

painful or swollen joints
mouth sores and ulcers
swollen lymph nodes
butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose

Ludwig’s angina

Ludwig’s angina is a rare bacterial skin infection on the floor of the mouth, under the tongue. It often develops after a tooth abscess or other mouth infection or injury. The infection causes swelling of the tongue, jaw, and neck. You may also experience drooling, trouble speaking, and fever.

Prompt medical treatment is needed because the swelling can become severe enough to block the airway.

Some medications

Though rare, some medications can cause swollen lymph nodes. These include the anti-seizure medication phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek) and medications used to prevent malaria.

Cancer

Oral and oropharyngeal cancers, which start in the mouth or throat, can cause a swollen jaw. Other types of cancer can spread to the jaw bone or to the lymph nodes in the neck and jaw, causing swelling.

The symptoms of cancer vary depending on the type, location, size, and stage.

Other common signs of oral and oropharyngeal cancers include:

a sore in the mouth or on the tongue that doesn’t heal
persistent sore throat or mouth pain
a lump in the cheek or neck

Multiple symptoms

Your swollen jaw may be accompanied by other symptoms. Here’s what certain symptoms together can mean.

Swollen jaw on one side

Swelling on only one side of your jaw can be caused by:

injury or trauma
abscessed tooth
tooth extraction
pericoronitis
noncancerous or cancerous salivary gland tumor

Swollen jaw under ear

If your jaw is swollen under the ear, it’s likely swollen jaw nodes that can be caused by:

viral infection
bacterial infection
mumps
abscessed tooth
salivary gland problem
rheumatoid arthritis

Toothache and swollen jaw

The most likely causes include:

abscessed tooth
pericoronitis

Swollen jaw and no pain

Swollen lymph nodes are often painless, so if your jaw appears swollen, but you don’t have any pain, it could indicate the start of a bacterial or viral infection, or be caused by rheumatoid arthritis or a salivary gland problem.

Swollen cheek and jaw

An abscessed tooth, tooth extraction, and pericoronitis are most likely to cause swelling in the cheek and jaw. Mumps can also cause it.

Diagnosing jaw swelling

To diagnose the cause of your jaw swelling, a doctor will first ask about your medical history, including any recent injuries or illnesses, and your symptoms. The doctor may also use one or more of the following tests:

physical examination
X-rays to check for a fracture or tumor
blood tests to check for infection
CT scan or MRI to look for signs of illnesses, including cancer
biopsy if cancer is suspected or other tests aren’t able to confirm a cause

Treating jaw swelling

Treatment for a swollen jaw depends on the cause. Home remedies may be helpful in relieving symptoms. Medical treatment may be required to treat a broken or dislocated jaw or an underlying condition.

Home remedies

You may be able to relieve symptoms of a swollen jaw by:

applying an ice pack or cold compress to relieve swelling
taking over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatories
eating soft foods
applying a warm compress over infected lymph nodes

Medical treatment

Medical treatment options are available to treat underlying conditions that can cause jaw swelling. These can include:

bandaging or wiring for dislocation or fractures
antibiotics for infections caused by bacteria
corticosteroids to relieve inflammation
surgery, such as a tonsillectomy
cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy and radiation

When to see a doctor or dentist

See a doctor if your jaw swells following an injury or if the swelling persists for more than a few days or is accompanied by signs of an infection, such as fever, headache, and fatigue.

Get emergency care if you:

are unable to eat or open your mouth
are experiencing swelling of the tongue or lips
have trouble breathing
have a head injury
have a high fever

Takeaway

A swollen jaw that results from a minor injury or tooth extraction should improve within a few days with self-care. If the swelling makes it difficult to eat or breathe or is accompanied by severe symptoms, get immediate medical care.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

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