Your body tries to communicate with you as best it can, but some signals can be downright confusing. For instance, if you don’t respond to thirst cues quickly enough, your body tries to get your attention by triggering the hunger sensation instead.
Facial swelling is a less fun example of your body’s mixed warning signals. Many different problems can prompt an inflammation response, which might leave you confused with who you should call. Don’t worry – these quick guidelines will help clear things up!
Facial Injury? It Depends
If you’ve sustained a facial injury within the past 48 hours or so, that’s likely the cause of your swelling problem! Long biology lesson short, your body sends extra fluids to wounded areas to help with the healing process, which makes them seem puffy. Broken bones are a good reason to see your doctor, while broken teeth warrant an emergency trip to your dentist.
Sinus Infection? Wait and See
Sometimes sinus infections can cause facial swelling. Instead of excess healing fluid, though, what you’re likely dealing with is inflamed sinuses or congestion. This illness can be incredibly uncomfortable but is usually not serious. Be sure to take medicine like Theraflu or Mucinex to alleviate your symptoms and get plenty of rest. If your discomfort persists for more than a week or two, then it might be a good idea to contact your doctor.
Dental Abscess? Dentist!
A dental abscess is a pimple-like bump that forms near your gumline when you have an oral infection. In addition to facial swelling, you might also experience toothache, fever, or have a bad taste in your mouth.
Oral infections are very serious. Unlike the rest of your body, your mouth won’t be able to fight it off without treatment. That means you should 1) call your dentist and request a same-day emergency appointment, and 2) resist popping the abscess! This “pimple” is full of puss that could spread the infection.
Allergies? What Kind?
Allergies can also make your face puff up, but whether or not this is urgent depends on what type of allergies you’re dealing with. Seasonal allergies are often mild and can be alleviated with over-the-counter medicine like Claritin or Benadryl. A severe allergic reaction can lead to anaphylactic shock and difficulty breathing; this is when you’ll want to call 911.
If you’re still unsure about your facial swelling or other symptoms, go ahead and call your dentist. When you describe the situation over the phone, they’ll be able to determine whether your problem is urgent and which care provider will be best able to help you. They also understand how alarming things like facial swelling can be, so rest assured your call will be judgement free.
About the Practice
At United Dental Centers of Whiting, we have several highly skilled and experienced dentists on-staff, giving us the ability to provide patients with comprehensive care under one roof. We’ll help you get to the bottom of your facial swelling and will be able to provide swift treatment if necessary. To contact our office and request a same-day emergency appointment, call 219-659-4900.