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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Could Swelling In Jaw Be Due To Abscess Or Sinus Infection?

I came down with a sinus infection 4 days ago, that caused alot of nasal congestion, and then a cough developed 2 days later. Yesterday, my very back molar on the right upper side started hurting alot. My whole cheek swelled up and today it is pretty swollen and warm to the touch, all the way down to just above my jawbone. Several years ago I had a root canal done on the 2nd molar next to the one that started hurting yesterday and I occasionally have had minor pain in that area, but nothing like the swelling that I have now. Just wondering if you think it could be an abcess? Could ve it s onset have been due to the sinus infection? It is Saturday and there are no medical or dental clinics open until Monday. I do have a 2 day supply of Augmentin left over in my fridge from a bout of strep that my kids went through a couple of weeks ago. Should I go ahead and take it to get me throught until Monday when I can get into a clinic?
Fri, 24 Jun 2016
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Dentist,  's  Response
Hi..
Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..

I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns..

As per your complain the symptoms of pain in a specific tooth along with swollen cheek seems to be more likely to be a dental abscess and not due to sinus infection as sinus infection causes generalised pain on the entire affected side while pain in a specific tooth along with swollen cheek can be more likely be a tooth infection leading to pus formation below the root tips of the tooth and it leads to pus formation..
The pus gets accumulated into the soft tissues and causes swelling and pain..
Consult an Oral Physician and get evaluated and an x ray of the tooth can help in diagnosis and treatment can be done accordingly..
You can be advised root canal treatment of tooth or extraction depending upon condition of the tooth followed by a course of antibiotics and painkillers..
As of now you can take painkillers like Ibuprofen or Ketorolac and do cool compresses over cheek to reduce inflammation and swelling..

Hope this information helps..

Thanks and regards.
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.
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Could Swelling In Jaw Be Due To Abscess Or Sinus Infection?

Hi.. Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC.. I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns.. As per your complain the symptoms of pain in a specific tooth along with swollen cheek seems to be more likely to be a dental abscess and not due to sinus infection as sinus infection causes generalised pain on the entire affected side while pain in a specific tooth along with swollen cheek can be more likely be a tooth infection leading to pus formation below the root tips of the tooth and it leads to pus formation.. The pus gets accumulated into the soft tissues and causes swelling and pain.. Consult an Oral Physician and get evaluated and an x ray of the tooth can help in diagnosis and treatment can be done accordingly.. You can be advised root canal treatment of tooth or extraction depending upon condition of the tooth followed by a course of antibiotics and painkillers.. As of now you can take painkillers like Ibuprofen or Ketorolac and do cool compresses over cheek to reduce inflammation and swelling.. Hope this information helps.. Thanks and regards. Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.