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Why does the inside of the cheek hurt? This is a question that everyone might have. First of all, it is worth understanding what caused the pain and swelling in the cheek area, for which you may need to consult a specialist, since any tumor is a clear sign of pathological changes in the body. Such ailment can occur with various diseases that have a dental, neuralgic, infectious or traumatic etymology. Each of them is worth considering in more detail.

Sections of the article

1. Pulpitis

Pulp is the soft tissue found in the cavity of the tooth.. In other words, it is the dental nerve. Its sensitivity is so high that if the slightest infection occurs, an inflammatory process can begin. This is how pulpitis begins to develop.

Causes of pulpitis:

• deep caries;
• cracks in the tooth;
• after an accidental burn during treatment or prosthetics;
• less often – infection through the blood.

Symptoms of pulpitis:

• sharp pain near the tooth;
• formation of a purulent lump (flux);
• pain in the cheeks;
• temperature increase.

Treatment of pulpitis

The essence of treatment for this disease is, first of all, to get rid of the inflammatory process that has developed in the pulp. Depending on the degree of development, the method of therapy is selected:

• biological– implies a set of measures to eliminate inflammation to keep the nerve alive (a positive result is possible only in the case of an early stage of development of the disease);
• surgical– implies partial (amputation) or complete (extirpation) removal of the affected nerve in case of advanced disease and the inability to achieve a positive result through a biological treatment method.

Under no circumstances should you allow pulpitis to occur, since if left untreated, it provokes complete destruction of the tooth by spreading the infection to other parts of the tooth and even beyond the tooth, and also causes unbearable pain in the cheeks.

2. Periodontitis

Periodontitis is an oral disease that is characterized by inflammation of the periodontium, or, more simply, all the tissues that surround the tooth root.

Causes of periodontitis:

• tartar, which can form due to poor oral hygiene;
• periodontal injuries (due to incorrectly selected dentures, crowns, poor-quality fillings);
• smoking;
• piercing, biting the cheek (sometimes a lump can form inside the cheek);
• hereditary predisposition;
• stress;
• hormonal changes.

Symptoms of periodontitis:

• bleeding gums (the first and most obvious sign);
• unpleasant odor from the mouth;
• receding gums (exposing the roots of the teeth);
• pain in the cheek area;
• loosening of teeth;
• premature tooth loss.

If periodontitis has already become chronic, its treatment becomes much more difficult. In this case, doctors use the term “long-term remission” (improvement). Often, treatment of this disease involves first eliminating the cause of development, and then attempting to restore periodontal disease.

3. Wisdom tooth

Typically, a wisdom tooth is an ordinary multi-rooted tooth, which often appears in adulthood. Most people experience severe pain as their wisdom teeth grow, caused by the following reasons:

• tissue rupture near this tooth;
• dental diseases (pulpitis, caries);
• development of the inflammatory process;
• destruction of a neighboring tooth;
• growth towards the cheek (the cheek near the wisdom tooth hurts).

In some cases, when a wisdom tooth grows incorrectly or negatively affects the condition of other teeth (moves the dentition, destroys an adjacent tooth, tears the cheek), it is recommended to remove it, since it can cause a lot of trouble for its owner.

4. Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a dental disease characterized by inflammation of the gum lining. In most cases, gingivitis acts as a clinical manifestation of periodontitis and periodontal disease.

Symptoms of gingivitis:

• redness and swelling of the gums;
• pain at the site of inflammation;
• bleeding gums (from brushing, eating and other contacts);
• swelling in the cheeks;
• bad breath.

Causes of gingivitis:

• non-compliance with oral hygiene rules;
• heavy dental plaque;
• tartar;
• tooth growth;
• chronic oral infections;
• caries.

Treatment of gingivitis

Diagnosing this disease is not difficult: a visual and instrumental examination will be enough. But at the same time, it is important to determine the initial problem that led to the development of gingivitis, for which a thorough interview of the patient is carried out.

If it is not possible to determine the root cause of this disease and why the cheek is swollen, then local treatment is carried out, which includes cleaning the teeth from plaque and tartar. It is very important to strictly adhere to the rules of oral hygiene in order to avoid relapses. Medicines that enhance immunity and rinses with herbal solutions may also be prescribed..

Despite the fact that this disease is quite simple to treat, you should not delay its treatment, since the inflammatory process can spread and lead to the development of periodontal disease, which causes tooth loss, and then you will no longer be surprised.

5. Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an infectious disease characterized by inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. As a rule, this disease is a consequence of advanced rhinitis or a previous cold. In rare cases, the cause of sinusitis can be diseased upper teeth.

Symptoms of sinusitis:

• loss of smell;
• headache;
• pain in the bridge of the nose;
• the cheek on the inside hurts;
• the appearance of purulent nasal discharge.

Treatment of sinusitis

• Local therapy (nasal drops and sprays, antiseptics, rinsing the nose with special solutions).
• Drug treatment (antibiotics).
• Surgical intervention (used in the absence of positive dynamics after local therapy and drug treatment).

6. Stomatitis

Stomatitis is a dental disease of the oral cavity and is an inflammatory process of the oral mucosa. This disease can spread to the tongue, gums, lips, throat and cheeks (swelling appears on the cheek inside the mouth).

Causes of stomatitis:

• injuries to the mucous membrane of the mouth and cheeks (uneven teeth, crowns, hard food);
• allergic reaction;
• genetic predisposition;
• poor nutrition (with a lack of certain microelements and vitamins in the body);
• stress (emotional disorders);
• infections;
• as a complication after other diseases.

Depending on the nature of the occurrence of stomatitis, the following symptoms may be observed::

• if it is fungal in nature, rashes in the form of a white coating are observed throughout the oral cavity and on the cheeks;
• with the herpetic nature of the disease, the appearance of which is provoked by the herpes simplex virus, fever, swelling of the lymph nodes, rashes in the form of ulcers in the mouth, and pain in the cheek on the inside may also occur.

No specific tests are required to determine stomatitis. Treatment methods for both adults and children are identical. Diagnosis of this disease involves a doctor examining the mouth and cheeks, as well as collecting material for testing.

Treatment of stomatitis

The choice of treatment method for stomatitis depends on the cause and nature of its occurrence. That is:

• for allergic stomatitis, drugs are used that neutralize the effect of allergens;
• if the disease is viral or bacterial in nature, drugs are prescribed that suppress the activity of the corresponding microorganisms.

To get rid of the unpleasant symptoms of stomatitis, when the cheek inside the mouth hurts, local corticosteroid drugs (mouth rinses), antibiotics (usually in the form of rinses), as well as anesthetic drugs that help relieve pain in the mouth and mouth are used. on the cheeks. In any case, the malaise and discomfort that stomatitis can cause oblige you to immediately seek help from a specialist to prescribe the necessary treatment.

7. Patotite (“pig”)

Mumps is an acute infectious disease of viral etymology and is characterized by damage to the glandular organs and nervous system. This disease is transmitted by airborne droplets, which makes it unsafe for the patient’s environment.

Symptoms of mumps:

• pronounced intoxication, accompanied by body aches, chills, weakness);
• enlargement of the submandibular and parotid glands;
• cheeks near the cheekbones hurt;
• dry mouth;
• painful sensations in the abdomen.

Diagnosis of this disease involves a thorough examination of the patient and taking an anamnesis for testing.

Treatment of mumps involves hospitalization of the patient in an inpatient department in infectious diseases departments. The correct treatment can only be selected based on the results of the test results obtained.

8. Trigeminal neuralgia (trigeminal neuralgia)

This disease is chronic and is characterized by damage to the ternary nerve. The risk group for the disease is women over 40 years old.

Symptoms of triangular neuralgia:

• painful sensations on only one side (for example, the inside of the right cheek hurts);
• paroxysmal pain in the region of the ternary nerve;
• Uncontrolled lacrimation and increased salivation may develop.

Causes of triangular neuralgia:

• tumor lesion;
• facial injuries;
• malocclusion;
• compression of the nerve from the outside;
• pathologies in the nose area;
• proliferation of bone tissue;
• other diseases affecting the nervous system.

Treatment of triangular neuralgia

Treatment of this disease is conservative. As practice shows, the best results in the treatment of neuralgia are shown by physiotherapeutic therapy, namely:

• ultrasound;
• electromagnetic radiation;
• electrophoresis in combination with anti-inflammatory drugs.

In addition, at the acute stage of the disease, non-steroidal drugs (relieve inflammation), tranquilizers (reduce the activity of the nervous system), as well as nootropic medications (to improve metabolism in nerve tissues) are prescribed.

Which doctor will help with cheek pain?

If you experience such an unpleasant symptom as your cheek hurting from the inside, you should not delay contacting a specialist, since this seemingly harmless symptom may indicate a serious illness. Depending on the symptoms that appear, consultation and examination by doctors such as a dentist or neurologist may be required. In any case, you will have to consult a specialist, since after a short time any of the diseases can make the patient’s life simply unbearable.

Other causes of pain

• A bite of an insect. If pain occurs in the cheek, swelling, redness or thickening appears on the cheek, you need to think about whether the patient has noticed that he may have been bitten by some insect before. The bite of insects such as a bee, wasp or bumblebee provokes the appearance of severe swelling on the cheek, as a result of which it is almost impossible to see the site of the bite.
• Injuries. If you feel pain in the cheek, this may be the result of soft tissue bruises. Moreover, in case of mild damage, swelling and pain may not appear immediately, and after some time it will simply be impossible to even touch the cheek.
• Other dental and neuralgic diseases, accompanied by pain both on the inside and on the upper surface of the cheek, in the corners of the cheekbones.

Summarizing

Perhaps, for almost every person, health problems cause such unpleasant associations as malaise and pain. And such an unpleasant sensation as your cheeks hurt is a very common occurrence. Despite the fact that such pain can often be muffled with painkillers or simply endured, this should not be done. Be that as it may, pain in the cheek area is always a herald of inflammatory processes, which must be eliminated as quickly as possible, since self-medication or refusal of treatment can lead to unpredictable consequences and serious complications.

A cheek tumor can be caused by various reasons, some of which are life-threatening. Therefore, such a symptom cannot be ignored, especially if no problems with teeth are observed.

Moreover, you should not devote a lot of time to self-medication, as this can provoke more serious health problems.

Reasons for this symptomatology

Cheek swelling without toothache most often means the presence of an inflammatory process. There are many reasons for the appearance of edema and they are all divided into:

• consequences after dental treatment;
• consequences associated with diseases of the oral cavity;
• consequences of others diseases.

Consequences of dental treatment

Incorrect or insufficient dental treatment often leads to swelling of the cheek. Wherein no toothache. This symptom occurs due to the following reasons:

1. Allergy. It appears when the body is intolerant of the filling material. That's why the next day After visiting a specialist, a person’s cheek may swell.

   In this case, you should consult a doctor and replace the filling with another one, made of hypoallergenic material.

2. Nerve removal. No toothache with a swollen cheek often indicates that the nerve was not completely removed.

   You should definitely consult a doctor, otherwise you may even lose a healthy tooth.

3. Removal of a tooth. In this case, the swelling of the cheeks is caused by complications after surgery.

   It is possible that the patient did not follow the dentist’s recommendations after tooth extraction and consumed solid foods or hot drinks.

4. Gum section. If a specialist cuts the gum during dental treatment to remove pus, then at first the tumor may even increase.

   You should worry about this if the swelling persists for a long time even despite taking anti-inflammatory drugs.

What does a tumor on the cheek look like?

Periodontal disease

Diseases of the oral cavity also often provoke swelling of the cheek. Among these ailments, the most common is periodontal disease.

The symptom often appears in older people who still have their teeth. It is better not to self-medicate in this situation, since it is necessary to remove the swelling surgically.

Inflammatory infiltrate

Cheek swelling often occurs as a result of inflammatory infiltrate. This disease is quite dangerous, because without treatment can lead to abscess and inflammation of the brain.

The symptom is painful condition of the teeth a few days before the appearance of the tumor. If you suspect an inflammatory infiltrate, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Wisdom tooth

The cheek may become swollen as a result abnormal growth of wisdom teeth. This happens especially often if the tooth grows in adulthood.

Then the symptoms will be not only swelling, but also general malaise and high fever. Dentists recommend removing such wisdom teeth.

Gingivitis

Cheek swelling may occur due to gingivitis, that is gum inflammation. With this disease there appears swelling of the gums, bad breath and bleeding.

The typical picture is as follows: the cheek is swollen, but no painful sensations are observed. For gingivitis, it is important to begin treatment immediately, otherwise the disease will quickly develop into periodontitis.

One of the causes of cheek swelling: gingivitis

Neurological ailments

If no oral diseases is not observed, but dental treatment has been going on for a long time This means that the tumor was caused by other diseases.

Most often this neurological diseases, at which it also appears stuffy ears and sore throat.

Diseases of internal organs

Edema can be caused diseases of internal organs. Excess fluid due to improper functioning of one or another organ is deposited in soft tissues, including in the facial area. In this case, cheek swelling is a dangerous symptom.

Infection

A tumor can cause mumps. This disease causes high fever and inflammation of the parotid glands.

Often the cheek swells as a result of the appearance of an inflammatory process, which is provoked bacterial or viral infection.

The symptom usually becomes very heat, which lasts forever. In this case, it is important to consult a doctor who will prescribe antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Watch a video about how mumps develops and how the shape of the face changes:

Cyst

Also on the sebaceous gland can form cyst, which immediately causes swelling of the cheek. Wherein the tumor is growing rapidly. It is removed surgically.

Injury

There are other reasons for the appearance of a tumor on the cheek. The symptom may appear as a result facial injuries due to a fall or impact.

Such a tumor will not increase in size and will go away in a few days. If the cheek grows, then you need to immediately seek medical help.

Bites

Edema occurs and due to insect bites. Then a thickening and redness.

Insufficient hygiene

Inflammatory process, which provokes the appearance of edema, sometimes occurs due to insufficient oral hygiene. In this case, first the gums swell and then the cheek becomes inflamed.

Treatment

Only a qualified doctor can truly understand the cause of the tumor. Therefore, you should not delay your visit; the specialist will tell you what medications you need to take and what to do for local treatment.

Inflammation in the cheek area

At home, you can relieve the symptom, that is, reduce the tumor in size. But proper treatment is possible only after diagnosis. You should see a doctor contact immediately if:

• tumor enlarges and causes pain;
• appeared heat body, which doesn't subside within a few days;
• is felt general malaise accompanied by loss of appetite, drowsiness and headache;
• from mouth starts to appear bad smell;
• first help with folk remedies does not produce results;
• from the gums discharge of pus or blood.

First aid at home

A swollen cheek brings a lot of inconvenience, so many try reduce swelling at home.

It is not recommended to take anti-inflammatory or painkillers before visiting the dentist, as this will complicate the diagnosis.

Self-treatment can be quite effective in some cases. To alleviate the condition, you can use the following methods:

• Rinsing salt and soda. This solution has antiseptic properties that destroy bacteria. Rinsing doesn't always help, but it won't hurt either.

  To enhance the effect, add 2-3 drops of iodine to the medicine.

• Rinsing is considered effective decoction of medicinal herbs especially sage and chamomile.
• For a tumor resulting from a bite or injury, you can use cold compress. But under no circumstances should you apply it to your cheek if there is a high temperature or the likelihood of an inflammatory process.

  You should also be careful with hot compresses, which can make the situation worse.

• If at home it grows Kalanochoe or aloe, then you need to moisten a cotton wool in the juice of the plant. It is applied for some time to the inside of the cheek.

What will the dentist prescribe?

First, the specialist must determine the cause of the tumor and only then prescribe treatment.

If no serious diseases of the internal organs are detected, the dentist may prescribe medications to relieve swelling.

In cases where the tumor is accompanied by an inflammatory process, the patient is prescribed special medications, for example, Nimesil.

For relieving pain most often used Ibuprofen, Ketanov or Ketorol.

If a tumor occurs as a result of an allergic reaction, then antihistamines are used as treatment, for example, Suprastin, Tavegil or Erius.

Painkillers

In addition, it is often used to combat allergies. Diazolin. For rinsing dentists prescribe to their patients Chlorhexidine or Miramistin.

The most effective medications are Suprastin, Traumeel and Lymphomyosot. If necessary, antibiotics such as Lincomycin, Biseptol or Amoxiclav are prescribed.

Folk remedies

Treatment at home involves the use of traditional recipes. But they should be used only after consultation with a dentist.

Most often, tumor treatment occurs using various rinses:

• You should take equal parts of nettle, calamus, sage and oak. The components are mixed and filled with hot water. Infuse the traditional medicine for 2–3 hours.

  You should rinse your mouth every few hours.

• To rinse the mouth, you can also prepare a medicine from a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide. It is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:1 and rinsed with mouth every 2 hours.
• An excellent anti-inflammatory gargle is easily made with garlic. To do this, chop 2-3 cloves of garlic and add a glass of boiling water.

  Once the infusion has cooled, you can rinse your mouth with it.

• Propolis tincture is often used as an effective treatment. It can be bought at any pharmacy. Soak a cotton swab in the tincture and apply it to the swollen cheek from the inside.

  In addition to the tincture, you can also take dry propolis. It must first be slightly kneaded, and then also applied to the inflamed area and held for about half an hour.

A cheek tumor is a symptom indicating problems not only with teeth, but also with the whole body.

Most often, swelling occurs as a result improper dental treatment or development of dental diseases. Therefore, you should not self-medicate, but rather consult a doctor.

Folk remedies for relieving inflammation

Reviews

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2 Comments

• Olga

  June 2, 2016 at 5:06 am

  Wow, there could be so many different reasons. This is a hot topic for me; the other day my husband’s cheek became swollen and his gums became inflamed. Like many men, he “courageously” walked for 4 days, then I persuaded him to go to the doctor. Self-medication was done by rinsing with sage, peroxide and applying ointment to the gums. The dentist said that the ointment was burned, we applied it directly to the gums, but it was necessary to apply it on a cotton swab or gauze pad and apply it for 10 minutes. In general, they learned from bitter experience. Now they inject the antibiotic into the gums and leave the rinsing.

• Vika

  June 11, 2016 at 0:09

  My friend recently had her wisdom tooth removed and her cheek was so swollen!
  An inflammatory process has clearly begun; not only is it on the cheek, there are also bruises under the eyes. Of course, the dentist prescribed treatment. My friend is now eating through a straw.
  I brew her sage for rinsing, it seems to make her feel better. True, this is together with prescribed medications. Still, you cannot rely completely on self-medication in such situations.

• Artem P

  July 3, 2016 at 3:30 p.m.

  See a doctor immediately! This is the only way to identify the causes of tumor (inflammation). I’ll give you a simple answer: it doesn’t hurt – that doesn’t mean that everything is fine, rather the opposite. What if there is inflammation of the salivary glands, or a stone in the ducts, etc. Do not under any circumstances try to treat yourself, “heal” even bigger problems, which in the future, at the very least, will cost you a pretty penny. The bottom line is this: Don’t play around with your health, go to the doctor - that’s what dentists are for.

• Nika

  May 15, 2017 at 4:23 am

  There was swelling of the cheek. Without pain. A few days later, the entire jaw began to ache. The dentist said that the tooth was inflamed and needed to be pulled out. In response to all my persuasion to look at a different tooth, and not the one he intended to tear, I was told that he was the doctor, not me. They tore it out. Healthy tooth. It turns out that a neighboring tooth became inflamed, which I tried to point out to the doctor. More precisely, a cyst the size of a good pea has formed at the end of the root (another doctor already showed me this when he pulled out an inflamed tooth). No one would remove the cyst surgically for me. Result, two lost teeth.

• Marina

  May 30, 2017 at 6:12 am

  The swelling of the cheek has not subsided for the third week after the filling of the canals of the 5th upper tooth; the medicine was put on for three weeks. Immediately after this, my cheek became swollen. CT scan shows a cyst in the second upper tooth. I took amoxiclav, xefocam, and smeared solcoseryl on my gums. The swelling subsided a little, the gums healed. There are two seals on the cheek, one in the sinus area, the other in the lower jaw area. There was no temperature. The doctor doesn't say anything specifically. The visit is scheduled in three days. What could it be?

• Abdurahman

  September 16, 2017 at 9:55 pm

  He treated the tooth, opened the canal, cleaned it, put him on medicine for 3 days, then put a filling and sent him home. By evening my cheek began to swell, and in the morning I woke up like Winnie the Pooh. I went back to the clinic, they picked out the filling, washed it out and left the canal open for 2 days, and prescribed antibiotics. The doctor said that the tooth does not hold tight :) and if this happens again after the 2nd filling, then the tooth must be pulled. As a result, my cheek became swollen again. In the surgeon’s chair, I asked if this could be due to the root of a decayed tooth next door? To which she said: Yes! He asked me to pull out the root. On the second day the swelling went down, the tooth began to “keep a tight seal”, in general, everything was GOOD!
  CONCLUSION: the doctor doesn’t care what you vomit and in what quantity. Need teeth? Think for yourself where and what needs to be treated, much less removed. If you don't agree with the doctor, argue!

Swelling of the cheek is a pronounced symptom that is clearly visible to a person even without medical education. Often this symptom accompanies dental diseases. However, in some cases, swelling is present, but the patient does not feel toothache. What causes swelling and pain in the cheek? Which specialist should I contact to find out the reasons? How to treat and prevent the occurrence of such symptoms? Let's figure it out together.

The main causes of cheek swelling

In the vast majority of cases, swelling of the cheek, which is not accompanied by toothache, is a manifestation of the inflammatory process. Often the patient finds that only one side is swollen and swollen - the left or right. The origin of inflammation can be different - from the normal growth of wisdom teeth to the development of serious diseases that pose a threat to the patient.

Purulent periostitis (flux)

The development of purulent periostitis (this disease is also widely known as “flux”) can be triggered by a traumatic injury or an advanced form of carious lesions (we recommend reading: how to remove a tumor caused by flux at home?). If a patient complains of severe acute pain, which is reflected in organs located near the affected tooth, one of his cheeks swells and his body temperature rises, then we are most likely talking about an acute form of purulent periostitis.

Pain after tooth, nerve or filling removal

Sometimes swelling occurs as a result of treatment or tooth extraction. This is a normal reaction of the body to outside interference.

Often, such a symptom indicates that the therapy was not carried out in full or of poor quality. Then it is recommended to consult a doctor. If your cheek is noticeably swollen after visiting the dental office, the following factors may be causing it:

• An incision on the gum - when treating a diseased tooth, the doctor sometimes needs to cut the gum. In this case, the swelling is a normal phenomenon that will go away on its own over time.
• Complications after tooth extraction - most often patients who neglect the rules of oral care during the recovery period encounter a tumor after tooth extraction.
• Poor quality nerve removal - during depulpation, the doctor can only partially remove the nerve, then the cheek will swell near the treated tooth, but there will be no toothache.
• An allergic reaction occurs after root canal filling if the doctor used the material without taking into account the patient’s individual intolerance. When your cheek becomes very swollen the day after filling, you need to urgently consult a doctor so that he can replace the filling with a hypoallergenic one.

Wisdom tooth growth

If only one cheek is swollen, there is general malaise and/or fever - this indicates the eruption of a wisdom tooth, especially if it is coming out in a person over 25 years old. When third molars grow properly, there is no significant pain or discomfort. If the symptoms listed above occur, this indicates some disturbance in the process of its growth, the doctor may recommend removing the “eight”.

Formation of abscess and cellulitis

Inflammation in the advanced form of the gums or cheeks is dangerous due to complications such as phlegmon and abscess. These pathological conditions are distinguished by the characteristics of the localization of purulent exudate. With phlegmon, pus is not limited to the membrane cavity, it involves nearby tissues in the inflammatory process, spreading freely.

If pus fills the formed cavity, then we are talking about an abscess. The latter may look like a lump inside the mouth between the cheek and the gum on the inside. At the same time, the patient notes that one of the parts of the face is swollen and hurts.

The reasons for the development of a cheek tumor due to phlegmon and abscess include:

Development of gingivitis

The cause of swelling can be gingivitis, an inflammatory process that affects the gums. Characteristic symptoms of the pathology also include bleeding and swelling of the gums, as well as the appearance of an unpleasant odor from the mouth. You should not neglect the treatment of gingivitis, since in its advanced form it can develop into a more dangerous disease - periodontitis.

Injury or burn of the mucous membrane

Damage from a fall or impact, as well as burns to the mucous membranes from eating extremely hot food can also cause swelling of the cheek. A burn can be caused not only by thermal, but also by chemical irritant. Usually the tumor does not increase in size and goes away without a trace within a few days. If the swelling increases, there may be serious damage that requires medical attention.

Insufficient oral hygiene

Neglect of oral hygiene rules often leads to the development of various inflammatory processes. In this case, first the patient discovers swelling of the gums, and over time, part of the face becomes swollen (we recommend reading: how to treat swollen gums at home?). The patient notes that she seemed to be “duped.” Depending on the characteristics of the inflammation, it may have accompanying symptoms.

Other reasons

Some experts consider the face to be a unique reflection of a person’s general health. A number of pathological conditions can provoke the manifestation of characteristic symptoms on the face. In addition to the reasons listed above, inflammation of the cheek can be caused by the following factors:

Stomatitis deserves special mention. This disease is associated with inflammation of soft tissues. For part of the face to swell, the disease must progress to a serious stage. Stomatitis often occurs in children. One of the characteristic symptoms of beginning stomatitis is pain. The cheek bothers me from the inside, in the corner of the mouth.

There is a tumor, but the teeth do not bother me - why does this happen?

Now let’s figure out why the cheek is swollen, but the tooth doesn’t hurt (we recommend reading: the cheek hurts, but not the tooth: what could it be?). If the swelling of the cheek is not accompanied by toothache, this indicates that the inflammatory process does not affect the nerve. A symptom may indicate that the pathological process is not associated with dental diseases, or the disease develops in the area of ​​the pulpless dental element. In any case, a tumor (especially a progressive one) cannot be ignored, as it can be a symptom of a dangerous disease.

Which doctor should I contact if I have swelling of the cheek?

A similar recommendation can be given in cases where part of the face is swollen after treatment for caries or other diseases of the oral cavity. After tooth extraction or other surgical intervention, swelling is a normal reaction and should not be a cause for panic.

Treatment of swelling

At the initial stages of the pathological process, traditional medicine can be effective. However, in cases where it was not possible to remove the tumor within 2-3 days, you should stop home treatment and immediately seek medical help from a specialist. Among folk recipes, the most popular are the following:

• rinsing with a solution of soda and salt;
• using a decoction of chamomile and sage, St. John's wort;
• rinsing with infusion of calendula flowers;
• You can relieve swelling from the gums using propolis applications.

First aid for discomfort

What to do to reduce swelling and get rid of pain in a short time? Medicines containing analgesic components will help. The patient can use Hexoral solution or spray, Lidocaine-asept in aerosol form. If the problem arises in a child, then it is permissible to use products recommended for teething, for example, Dentinox gel.

Medications

The attending physician prescribes medications depending on what causes of swelling were identified during a comprehensive diagnosis of the patient’s condition. In the case of diseases accompanied by suppuration, sometimes not only conservative therapy is required, but also surgical intervention.

Cause of swelling	Drug therapy	Note
Acute purulent periostitis, phlegmon	Amoxiclav, Lincomycin, Ampioks, Doxycyline, Metronidazole	Conservative treatment is not enough. The help of a surgeon will be required: he will open the gum, expose the cavity filled with pus, and install drainage. A few days later (after complete release of the purulent exudate), the drainage is removed and the wound is closed. Start dental treatment.
Gingivitis, stomatitis, trauma or burn	Miramistin, Chlorhexidine, (we recommend reading: method of using Chlorhexidine for mouth rinsing in dentistry) Furacilin, Holisal, Asepta-gel, Solcoseryl, Mephenamine sodium salt (0.1% solution) Novoimanin, Salvin, Agistam, Suprastin	Each disease requires appropriate diagnosis (to determine its cause) and step-by-step comprehensive treatment.

Preventive measures

Swelling of the gums or cheeks is an unpleasant symptom that may indicate the development of pathological changes in the body (we recommend reading: how can you relieve swelling of the gums after wisdom tooth removal?). You should not neglect the treatment of such diseases, but it is always better to pay attention to preventive measures to prevent them.

1. the diet should be varied and balanced so that a person receives all the vitamins and microelements from food;
2. preventive medical examinations, including those at the dentist, should not be neglected;
3. If symptoms of dental disease occur, consult a doctor;
4. use special mouth rinses, toothpicks, floss threads, brushes to clean the interdental space;
5. carry out hygienic cleaning of teeth and tongue using a brush and paste twice a day.

At a dental appointment, diseases of the oral mucosa are often diagnosed. Often lesions of the oral mucosa are localized on the lateral surface of the tongue and the distal cheeks.

Most dental patients have cheeks. The cheeks have functional, anatomical and social significance. Functionally, the owners of the cheeks use them to hold food and liquid during meals, to help produce speech sounds and moisturize the oral cavity, and also use them as a sucking membrane. The anatomical cheeks consist of buccal muscles covered on the outside with skin and mucous membrane on the inside. Within these layers are located numerous minor salivary glands, sebaceous glands, neurovascular structures, buccal fat pads, and the duct of the major salivary gland opens. Socially, you can say about an arrogant person that he has “big cheeks” (play on words: cheek - impudence colloquially, approx. transl.).

This article discusses several common benign lesions that occur on the intraoral and buccal surfaces. The cheeks are also a potential site for intraoral malignancy. The purpose of the material presented is to increase the awareness of dentists and dental hygienists regarding the presentation of selected benign, precancerous and cancerous cheek lesions.

Chemical burns

Chemical burns to the buccal mucosa often occur following the application of local anesthetics in an attempt to relieve toothache. Aspirin, acetaminophen, and various medical mixtures can cause chemical burns. Chemical burns can be classified by severity depending on the area of ​​edema and redness in relation to the dense white scab, sloughing off the necrotic mucosal surface (Fig. 1).

Rice. 1. Chemical burn.

Most chemical burns heal without consequences.

Tobacco stain (leukoplakia)

A tobacco spot or tobacco descending lesion is a wrinkled, white or pink, diffuse lesion of the oral vestibule. These lesions are often observed in the mandibular junctional fold, the site where smokeless tobacco is typically placed (Fig. 2).

Rice. 2 Tobacco stain.

Nitrosonornicotine in snuff or chewing tobacco has been declared carcinogenic. Thus, the use of a local carcinogen predisposes to the appearance of squamous cell carcinoma at the site of tobacco application, especially in the transitional fold of the mandible. (Fig. 3).

Rice. 3. Tobacco stain.

Initial lesions from topical tobacco use can be eradicated in most cases by stopping the use of tobacco products. Clinical lesions can disappear by stopping tobacco use for about two weeks. If, however, lesions persist after a two-week tobacco avoidance period, the remaining lesions should be completely excised and submitted to a pathologist for microscopic evaluation.

Squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor found in the oral cavity. The buccal mucosa is a place where cancer can be found relatively easily. Squamous cell tumor lesions are usually painless, however, the patient may be aware of a persistent ulcer, fullness in the cheek, or a spot that ulcerates repeatedly.

Squamous cell carcinoma may appear as a flat area; in the form of an ulcerated surface; in the form of a hardened (donut-like) area; surface, like a washboard or like an exophytic swelling (Fig. 4).

Rice. 4. Squamous cell carcinoma.

Most dentists, dental hygienists and doctors are more suspicious of cancer if the lesion is white in color. For many years, practitioners have been trained to examine the mucosa for leukoplakia (white plaques). In fact, erythroplasia is the earliest clinical manifestation of squamous cell carcinoma 2 . Reddened tissue should sharply raise the level of suspicion for cancer (Figure 5).

Rice. 5. Squamous cell carcinoma.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the cheek is more easily seen than malignant tumors of many other anatomical areas of the mouth and upper pharynx. The buccal mucosa is easily examined, especially when a standard examination of the oral cavity and teeth is performed. All cheek tissue abnormalities should be carefully assessed. When a malignant tumor of the buccal mucosa occurs, the disease is very aggressive and difficult to control. Approximately half of all cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the cheeks metastasize to regional lymph nodes in the neck. The prognosis for cure for cheek cancer is poor.

Lichen planus

Most pathologists would agree that lichen planus (LP) and lesions that resemble lichen planus (lichenoids) are common diseases of the oral mucosa. Despite this, oral pathologists have expressed varying opinions regarding lichen planus and lichen planus-like lesions.

The most important points of view are the following:

Lichen planus should not be ignored; and it is extremely difficult to make a definitive diagnosis of lichen planus through clinical examination. Lichen planus is most common on the buccal mucosa (Figure 6), but may also be found on the gums, tongue, palate, lips, floor of the mouth, or skin.

Rice. 6. Lichen planus.

This chronic process is characteristic of women, especially after 40. Lichen planus can be exclusively on the skin, exclusively on the mucous membrane, or simultaneously on both tissues. Lichen planus lesions may be associated with past trauma to the affected area, such as a skin scratch or dental injection. This observation is known as the "Koebner Phenomenon".

Typical lesions occur bilaterally on the buccal or gingival mucosa, appearing as lace, white streaks, or keratotic rings on an erythematous base (Fig. 7).

Rice. 7. Lichen planus.

These lesions are usually asymptomatic, with the exception of the ulcerative and bullous forms of lichen planus (Fig. 8).

Rice. 8. Erosive lichen planus.

Symptomatic lesions cycle between asymptomatic periods and painful episodes lasting several weeks. The lesions are routinely amenable to symptomatic application of topical steroids, especially 0.05% fluocinonide (Lidex).

Some researchers classify lichen planus as a precancerous condition.4 Other researchers question the relationship between lichen planus and oral cancer.5 However, other scientists suggest that in patients with long-standing lichen planus, both lichen planus and a malignant tumor may co-occur , especially in cases of erosive lichen planus.6 In addition, the dysplastic process, clinically accepted as “lichenoid dysplasia,” has similarities with lichen planus. But in contrast to lichen planus, lichenoid dysplasia tends to occur in areas of the mouth that are the most common sites for oral cancer: the floor of the mouth, the ventrolateral area of ​​the tongue, the lingual mucosa of the alveolar ridge, the tonsil folds, and the soft palate.

Somewhere between lichen planus of unknown origin and lichen dysplasia (with its malignant potential), another group of lichenoid lesions exists. Nonspecific lichenoid reactions - microscopic varieties - also have an unknown etiology. Similar to lichen planus, drug reactions are quite commonly diagnosed. In particular, patients taking phenothiazines, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and thriazides are more likely to experience lichen planus-like reactions than other drugs. Oral lichenoid mucositis may also occur secondary to consumption of foods containing cinnamon, such as cinnamon sweets, chewing gum, mouth rinses, and toothpastes. Systemic or discoid lupus erythematosus may also be accompanied by oral lesions similar to lichen planus.

When a patient has any type of lichen planus lesion, it is important to make a specific diagnosis. A complete medical history of this lesion should include its onset, symptoms, medications, use of products containing cinnamon, tobacco use, alcohol use, history of trauma (such as dental treatment), and known systemic diseases. The most useful diagnostic tool is microscopic examination of biopsy tissue.

Once a diagnosis has been made, lichen planus can be treated with a topical corticosteroid, which often reduces unpleasant symptoms. Although clinical symptoms can be controlled, lichen planus lesions may persist for a long time. It is the duty of the dentist, dental hygienist and dental surgeon who can diagnose lichen planus to carefully examine the mucosa of patients with lichen planus for suspicious lesions. Despite disagreement among pathologists, it is true that cancer co-occurs with lichen planus, and lichen dysplasia is potentially malignant.

Fibroma

Irritation fibroids are a common benign lesion that occurs on the mucous membranes of the cheeks, tongue, lips and other areas of the oral cavity. Fibroids are raised nodules that are approximately the same color as the surrounding tissue or slightly paler (Fig. 9).

Rice. 9. Fibroids.

Most fibroids are a few millimeters in size, but can become quite large (Figure 10).

Rice. 10. Fibroma.

They may be single, or may appear as a group of lesions. Fibroids can be surgically removed and submitted for histological examination. Typically, lesions do not recur if the cause of the irritation has been removed and the lesion has been completely excised.

Hemangioma

Blood vessels can form tumor-like lesions, especially in the cheeks, tongue and lips. These benign lesions often appear as blue, ovoid, soft nodules (Figure 11).

Rice. 11. Hemangioma.

These shrinking nodules may turn pale during palpation due to temporary disruption of blood flow to the affected area. Hemangiomas can be surgically removed and submitted for histological examination, especially if they are large or their location causes functional problems (Fig. 12).

Rice. 12. Hemangioma.

Recurrence of hemangioma is possible and depends on the configuration of the lesion and the completeness of removal.

Hematoma

Hematomas are an accumulation of blood in soft tissues secondary to injury (Fig. 13).

Rice. 13. Hematoma.

Traces of spontaneous biting are often found on the buccal mucosa, leading to the formation of a hematoma (Fig. 14).

Rice. 14. Hematoma.

These lesions are usually self-limiting, self-healing and rarely require treatment.

This article presents several lesions of the buccal mucosa that are commonly encountered in dentistry. Because the cheeks are a potential site of aggressive oral malignancy, all lesions should be examined with suspicion until a definitive diagnosis is made. Lesions similar to lichen planus should also not be carelessly overlooked, since a cancerous tumor may arise or already exists, at least in association with lichenoid dysplasia or lichen planus lesions. It must be emphasized that visual examination is not sufficient to make a diagnosis and/or develop a treatment plan for lichen planus or lichenoid dysplasia.

Dentists and dental hygienists are the only ones and the most qualified in their field who can detect cheek lesions at an early, treatable stage. Every visit to the dentist should include a “cheek check.”

Bibliography:

1. Silverman, Sol, Jr. Oral Cancer, Third Edition. The American Cancer Society. 1990. P. 10.

2. Mashburg, A., Samit, A. "Early Diagnosis of Asymptomatic Oral and Oropharyngeal Squamous Cancers." CA: A Journal of Clinicians. Vol. 45, No. 6., pp. 328-51.

3. Weigand, D.A., Zeigler, T.R. Lichen Planus. In Jorden, R.E. (Editor) "Immunologic Diseases of the Skin." Norwalk: Appleton and Lange, 1991, pp. 623-629.

4. Holmstrup, P. "The Controversy of a Premalignant Potential of Lichen Planus is Over." OralSurg, OralMed, OralPath, 1992. 73:704 -706.

5. Eisenberg, E. "Clinicopathologic Patterns of Oral Lichoid Lesions." Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinics of North America. August 1994. Vol.6

The article is based on the translation of the original article A check of cheeks. Rothstein J. Dent Today. 1996 Aug;15(8):60, 62, 64-5. PMID: 9567793 - Translation: Ukhanov M.M. Save on social networks:

Pain is a symptom of pathological processes occurring in the body. If your cheek bothers you, but there is no toothache, you should refrain from self-medication and consult a doctor to avoid further development of the pathology and associated complications.

Expert opinion

Biryukov Andrey Anatolievich

doctor implantologist orthopedic surgeon Graduated from Crimean Medical University. Institute in 1991. Specialization in therapeutic, surgical and orthopedic dentistry including implantology and implant prosthetics.

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I believe that you can still save a lot on visits to the dentist. Of course I'm talking about dental care. After all, if you carefully look after them, then treatment may indeed not come to the point - it won’t be necessary. Microcracks and small caries on teeth can be removed with regular toothpaste. How? The so-called filling paste. For myself, I highlight Denta Seal. Try it too.

Immediate therapy is required if the tumor of the cheek grows, pain intensifies, a feeling of fullness, or an increase in body temperature.

Causes of cheek pain

Let's list the common causes of pain.

Dental pathologies

Pain syndrome spreading to the cheek area is in many cases caused by dental pathologies:

• Inflammation of the tooth root. It occurs as a result of complications of pulpitis, caries, characterized by a long course, and poor-quality root canal therapy.
• Periodontal disease, accompanied by a deterioration in the stability of teeth, bleeding gums, increased vulnerability to infections, and extensive swelling that cannot be eliminated with medications.
• Pericoronitis. If the eruption of the eighth teeth (“wisdom”) proceeds with difficulty, the formation of “mucous hoods” occurs in which food debris accumulates, inflammation, swelling, and hematoma formation occur. A partially erupted tooth in contact with the cheek provokes injury.
• Gingivitis, accompanied by bleeding gums. Risk factors are non-compliance with the rules of oral hygiene, poor-quality fastening of the crown.
• Phlegmon or abscess. It develops when the cheek or gum cavity fills with pus.

Incorrect treatment

Pain and swelling of the cheek that appears after a dental appointment is provoked by:

• Allergy to filling material. To eliminate symptoms, refilling with hypoallergenic materials is performed.
• Incomplete removal of the nerve. If appropriate therapeutic measures are not taken, the prerequisites for losing the entire tooth appear.
• Removal of a dental unit. Depending on the complexity of removal, tissue swelling is observed over a fairly long period of time. It is recommended to temporarily avoid hot, irritating foods, alcohol, and avoid touching the inflamed area until the problem is resolved.
• Gum incisions made to ensure drainage of infiltrate. It takes a lot of time for the incisions to heal, during which discomfort appears.

Complications of diseases

Pain in the cheek also occurs with progressive neurology, accumulation of fluid in the body, infectious exacerbations, cystic, tumor processes, complications of sinusitis, mumps, and other infectious diseases.

Symptoms of neurological ailments are complemented by pain in the throat, trigeminal nerve area, and ear congestion. Infectious diseases caused by the activity of harmful microbes are treated with antibacterial therapy. An enlarging cyst requires surgical removal.

Ernest syndrome develops due to damage to the stylomandibular ligament. Unpleasant sensations spread to the facial and cervical areas. Temporal tendonitis manifests itself as discomfort and pain in the cheek, teeth, and cervical region.

In case of tumor diseases (benign, cancer), developing as a result of prolonged inflammation or injury, the cheek or gums swell. Painful sensations accompany sinusitis.

Consequences of injuries

The most common causes of traumatic pathology are mechanical damage, burns (chemical, thermal), and negative consequences of insect bites.

To eliminate the consequences of injury, in which the integrity of the bones is disrupted and swelling increases, cold compresses are used. An increase in swelling is a reason to visit a traumatologist.

What to do if your cheek hurts, but your tooth doesn’t hurt?

If a pain syndrome is detected, contacting a doctor becomes the only method of eliminating the problem.

Drug treatment

After a dental examination, if necessary, an x-ray diagnosis is prescribed, based on the results of which the causes of pain are identified. Diagnostic measures are supplemented by consultation with a neurologist, otolaryngologist, and other specialized specialists.

If there are signs of bacterial infection, Amoxiclav, Biseptol, Lincomycin, and other types of antibiotics are used.

The drugs Nimesil, Ketorol, Ketanov, Ibuprofen, and other painkillers and anti-inflammatory complexes, the list of which is agreed upon with a medical specialist, help reduce the intensity of pain and relieve swelling.

"Erius", "Tavegil", "Diazolin", "Suprastin", and other antihistamines are prescribed for allergies.

Therapy for the flux that caused the swelling involves the use of surgical methods.

Chlorhexidine rinses have a noticeable effect.

To counteract infectious agents and minimize inflammation, it is necessary to strengthen the immune system and fortify the diet.

Folk remedies

If it is not possible to receive professional medical care, you should use traditional methods of improving well-being, which do not replace full treatment, but serve as a temporary measure or an addition to the main therapy.

In the absence of signs of inflammatory processes and normal body temperature, cold compresses are used.

Relief of symptoms in diseases of the teeth and oral cavity is achieved by rinsing with antibacterial solutions: half a teaspoon of soda and salt are dissolved in one glass of warm boiled water. To enhance the effect of the product, iodine is added.

Kalanchoe helps reduce inflammation. Soak a cotton ball in the juice from the plant and place it on the surface of your cheek.

Apply lotions with aloe juice, applying pieces of leaf (with an incision to the inflamed area).

A cotton swab is moistened with propolis tincture and applied to the inner surface of the swollen cheek. Pre-kneaded dry propolis is applied to the inflamed area and held for about 30 minutes.

Rinsing with infusions of sage, calamus, nettle, and oak bark has a complex effect. The ingredients, mixed in equal proportions, are poured with water (1 liter per 50 g of mixture). After 2-3 hours of infusion, rinse the mouth (interval - several hours).

To prepare another effective remedy, 3% hydrogen peroxide is diluted with water (1 to 1). Rinse every 2 hours.

Garlic rinses involve chopping 2-3 cloves and pouring 200 ml of boiling water. The oral cavity is rinsed with a cooled solution.

In order to maintain the antiseptic, healing, antibacterial effect, one tablespoon of liquid honey is stirred in a liter of chamomile decoction and consumed warm. Also, gauze is soaked in chamomile broth and applied to the swollen area for 15 minutes without rinsing.

Swelling and pain due to an insect bite are minimized after using antihistamines and applying soda compresses to the cheek.

Pain associated with the eruption of wisdom teeth can be relieved with specialized ointments, gels with a freezing effect, and painkillers.

Regardless of the results of home treatment, it is advisable to visit a highly experienced specialist at the first opportunity. Medical intervention is extremely necessary in case of a sharp deterioration in health, fever, dizziness, headache, breathing difficulties, or rapid tumor growth.

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Preventive actions

To prevent the development of pathologies accompanied by inflammatory processes and pain in the cheek area, it is necessary:

• Follow oral hygiene standards (use a toothbrush, floss, brush).
• Visit the dentist at least twice a year (if painful symptoms appear, immediately).
• Supplement your diet with foods that have a positive effect on the health of your gums, teeth, and oral cavity.
• Conduct timely treatment for colds and inflammatory ailments.
• Avoid hypothermia.
• Refrain from uncontrolled use of medications.

A timely visit to a doctor for pain in the cheek will minimize the risk of negative consequences and complications.