Hi, Just Below My Wisdom Teeth I Have A Swollen

Posted on Wed, 21 Nov 2018

Question: hi, just below my wisdom teeth I have a swollen lymph node. it's there for around 5 months now. that side neck and shoulder just above collorbone also swollen. but the beck and should swelling would go down if I rest. but it won't dissappear completely. my wisdom tooth also inflamed. I feel some discomfort around that area. now I can feel pain goes to the back side of my neck too. what causes this and is it serious?

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Can be due to infection in wisdom teeth and the gum flap over it.

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Thanks for writing to us.

Well, if the wisdom teeth are also painful then the swollen lymph nodes can be due to the wisdom tooth and the swelling can spread to upper part of neck..

So first of all you should consult an Oral Surgeon and get evaluated.

A clinical examination and investigation like x ray can be done for confirmation..

For now do cool compresses over the swelling.
Do warm saline gargles.
Take anti inflammatory painkillers like Advil after consulting your Doctor.

Please let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (2 hours later)

Thank you. I do feel that sometimes some kind pus is coming out from the gum but not through the wisdom tooth. Will that cause this swelling around the neck? My dentist said that he csn see that wisdom tooth is inflammed but the tooth is fine. But if it is causing me trouble he will removecit. I just wanted to get it clarified if it's related to dental issue will it affect my shoulder area too...like the area above my collorbone. Because that's also swollen. Also will that pain go around my neck and affect my back side in my neck too?

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Looks like Pericoronitis.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

It looks like Pericoronitis that is inflammation of the gum flap over the wisdom tooth.
It is a common cause of swelling and pain along with swelling of lymph nodes.
Pus discharge is also due to infection leading to Pericoronitis.
It can cause swelling of the neck on affected side as it can cause Cellulitis if not treated.
Pain can radiate to nearby areas so can be related.
So my suggestion is to consult an oral surgeon and get evaluated.

Please let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (10 hours later)

Thank you. One last question before I leave, my doctor (not my dendist)did some blood test to see my general health and he couldn't find any infection or inflammation in my blood. If it's related to my dental will that not show up on my routine blood tests?

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Not necessarily

Detailed Answer:
Hi..

If the infection is localized then will not necessarily show up in blood test..

However as there is pus formation it is a clear indication of infection and so is the swelling..

So better consult an Oral Surgeon soon.

Please let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards.

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad