Swollen Cheek: A Dental Emergency

If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, click here to schedule an appointment.

Denver / Centennial Dental Office, call (303) 309-0749, near I-25 and Dry Creek, in Centennial (just south of Park Meadows Mall).

Are you experiencing a swollen cheek? With or without pain – please come in and see a dentist now! You might have swelling in one or even in both of your cheeks, which might be coming from inside or outside your mouth. Whatever the circumstances, it’s important to diagnose the underlying cause of your swollen cheek as soon as possible.

If it’s been awhile since you’ve seen a dentist because you are afraid, we can offer options that are easier by using one of three types of sedation during your treatment:
•nitrous oxide (also referred to as laughing gas)
•oral sedation (also referred to as conscious sedation)
•general anesthesia (also referred to as IV sedation)

Below are some of the common reasons for swelling in the cheek area.

Abscessed Tooth
An abscessed tooth usually occurs because of serious tooth decay that has made its way to the tooth’s root and caused an intense infection.

Wisdom Teeth That Need To Be Extracted
The majority of people don’t have room in their mouths for wisdom teeth, and when wisdom teeth try to erupt, they may only be able to partially break through the gums. This can potentially leave an opening for bacteria to enter, surround the tooth, and cause an infection. In turn, the wisdom tooth infection can lead to a swollen jaw, cheek, and/or neck.

Gum Disease
Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, if left untreated, can become severe enough to make your cheeks swell. Gum disease, simply explained, is an inflammation of the gums, one which is typically caused by plaque and calculus remaining on the teeth and infecting the gums.

Oral Cancer
Occasionally, a swollen cheek could be a result of oral cancer. Oral cancer, if detected at its earliest stage, is fairly easy to treat. If left untreated, oral cancer can become fatal.

For information about the potential causes of a swollen cheek, or to schedule a dental appointment with an emergency dentist.

Sedation Dentist Near Me
Our sedation dental office is near you if you live or work in: Centennial, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, southeast Aurora, Parker, Denver Tech Center, Meridian, Inverness, or Park Meadows.