Inflammation or fluid buildup causes some parts of the body to enlarge. At times, you will observe swollen joints, extremities, and parts of the face.
While a puffy face seems shocking on sight, it isn’t always a reason to worry. It can be an indicator of a marginal medical concern or a sign of a more serious health problem. It is best not to neglect facial swelling but also to understand the possible causes and determine when to be alarmed and contact medical or dental assistance. Check this website to learn about one of the most common “fixes” for swollen cheeks.
What Are Swollen Cheeks and What Causes Them?
Swollen cheeks appear round or puffy and can happen gradually or suddenly, and symptoms can emerge with or without pain. Your face might feel tender, stinging, tingling, or itchy, or you might be numb and feel nothing at all. Sometimes, the swelling is unilateral, occurring on only one side of the face, or bilateral, that is, on both sides. Here are some of the things to be on the lookout for:
More Common Swollen Face Causes:
- Dental Issues like swelling and pain in the face can indicate an underlying dental problem. Pericoronitis, for example, is the inflammation of the gum tissue, typically caused by a bacterial infection or an emerging wisdom tooth, and it causes puffy cheeks. A tooth abscess or an infection from microbes entering the pulp can also cause cheeks to swell.
- You could notice the cheekbone has swollen from significant damage from a facial injury like a fracture from a blow. A severe sunburn can cause your face to swell and blister too.
- Hormonal/ Immune System Issues and allergies are an inflammatory system response to bug bites or stings, food, drinks, or medication.
- Dermatitis, for example, can irritate the face by simple contact with certain jewelry, makeup, plants like poison ivy, or exposure to toxins.
- Anaphylaxis is the severe reaction to an allergen that yields swelling around the face, tongue, or throat.
- Angioedema is prompted by a variety of triggers, including pollen, latex, insect bites, food, water, and even sunlight.
- Excessive fluid collects under the skin, causing swelling around the eyes, lips, or cheeks.
Less Common Swollen Cheek Causes
- Hypothyroidism is a condition where the body doesn’t produce enough thyroid, sometimes bringing about puffy cheeks, hands, or feet.
- Cushing Syndrome results in the body producing too much of the cortisol hormone, causing weight gain in different parts of the body, including the face and cheeks, leading to the characteristic rounded, “moon-faced.”
- Sjogren’s Syndrome is an autoimmune condition in which white blood cells attack the salivary and tear glands making cheeks appear puffy or swollen.
- Preeclampsia causes high blood pressure during pregnancy, often introducing abrupt facial and hand swelling.
- Cancer or tumors, especially in the face or oral cavity, may cause changes in their size or shape.
- Cellulitis is a deep bacterial infection of the skin that usually develops in the lower legs but can also affect the face. The first sign is generally reddening, increased sensitivity, warming, and swelling.
- Parotitis, or parotiditis, is an infection and swelling of the salivary glands in the cheeks.
- Mumps is a type of viral infection that affects the salivary glands, causing swelling on one or both sides of the face.
- Actinomycosis is a rare bacterial infection that produces swelling and abscesses in the body’s soft tissues.
- Sialolithiasis, or calcium deposits in the salivary glands, can block a duct and lead to an infection and swelling in one cheek if left untreated.
- Sinusitis, also known as a sinus infection, is a very common ailment that can make your cheeks swollen.
- If a vein that carries blood to the heart from the head, neck, and chest gets blocked as a result of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome, the upper body tends to swell.
- Drugs, vaccines, and medication or long-term steroid use can create fatty deposits on the sides of the face and the back of the neck. Prednisone, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, Corticosteroids, Estrogen, Thiazolidinedione, some antibiotics, painkillers, anti-seizure meds, and chemotherapy drugs are known to cause swollen cheeks and weight gain.
Treatments and care for puffy cheeks
If you have swollen cheeks, you may wonder if there’s anything you can do before calling a doctor. Try raising the head of your bed or propping up your upper body with extra pillows to make yourself more comfortable and relieve pain or pressure. Apply a cold compress to the face and gently massage the cheeks to bring blood to the area and reduce swelling.
If the swelling doesn’t go away in a few days, or if it gets worse, contact a physician for a diagnosis and remedies for any underlying cause. Medication, surgery, or both may be prescribed. However, seek emergency attention if your inflammation is accompanied by any of these symptoms:
- Hives or a rash
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Dizziness
- A prickly sensation, tingling, or numbness of the hands or feet
- Fatigue
- Blurry vision
- Severe pain
- High blood pressure
Diagnosing the Problem
A doctor should be able to analyze and treat your condition following a detailed description of it and a thorough physical examination. So, when describing symptoms, be as specific as possible to help determine which tests to run, if any, and arrive at a diagnosis. So, when you describe your symptoms, be as specific as you can. This will help the doctor figure out which tests, if any, to run and make a diagnosis. In extreme cases, other exams are required to establish the cause, including:
- blood pressure reading.If it becomes inflamed, infected, or dies, root canal therapy or endodontic treatment is intended to save the naturaltooth. Root canal therapy, or endodontic treatment, is meant to save the natural tooth if it gets infected, swollen, or dies. Ignore them, but take note of any signs or symptoms in case healing is slowed or obstructed and you need to see a doctor or dentist. It is vital to take optimal care of your teeth and oral health. Brush twice a day, and follow all other recommendations!
