What can cause a swollen jaw?

swollen jaw is a worrying symptom that can have different causes. The most common causes of swollen jaws include traumatic damage, infection or dental problems. Cysts or tumors can also cause the jaw to increase, depending on their size and location. Another potential culprit is a disorder affecting the muscles and joints of the jaw, referred to as TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorder. Any questions or concerns about the development of swollen jaws should be addressed with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

Traumatic injuries are among the most obvious causes of swollen jaws. These injuries can occur from things such as accidental sports injuries, car accidents or physical abuse. Injuries such as this should be immediately evaluated by a doctor to make sure that the jaw is not broken, or to ensure that muscles or nerves have not suffered considerable damage. Depending on the type of injury present, surgical intervention may be necessary.

Infections and dental problems can sometimes cause a swollen jaw. Infections could be related to basic dental problems or can spring from a systemic infection that settles in the lymph nodes. Regulation antibiotics are usually needed to clean the infection and can be prescribed either by a doctor or dentist. Dental problems such as cavities, abscesses and broken or otherwise damaged teeth can sometimes cause the jaw to increase. Proper medical and dental care is important because the infections that start in the mouth are able to migrate to other areas of the body, which sometimes leads to quite serious medical complications.

Cysts or tumors are somewhat unusual even if they can cause the jaw to increase when they are present. If the weight cannot be detected during physical examination and other causes have been excluded, the doctor or dentist may order other tests such as X -rays, in order to order the problem. In many cases, surgical intervention to remove matter is required.

TMJ, also referred to as a resistive joint disorder, affects the muscles surrounding the jaw and the joint that allows the jaw to move. In some cases, this condition can lead to a swollen jaw, which is often solved in itself, only later reappears. While over -the -counter or prescription drugs can help with some symptoms associated with this disorder, extreme TMJ cases often require some surgical intervention.