What Causes Swelling On Right Side Of Jaw?

Posted on Tue, 30 Dec 2014

Tue, 30 Dec 2014 Answered on

Tue, 27 Jan 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I am 82 yrs. old and yesterday I had swelling on the right side of my jaw. It seemed to go away, but today
it swelled up again. Tonight it seems a lot worse. I saw a doctor today who gave me a prescription for ammoxilan which I took after supper. It is painful and I was wondering if it is possible to be more than an
infection. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
More information would be needed

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

your description sounds like sialadenitis which is an inflammation of the salivary glands. I can't be sure of course without clinically examining a patient and with the rather vague description you've provided.
Let me mention some characteristics of salivary gland inflammation which may help you give a more detailed description.
- it is painful particularly when lemon or other saliva-producing food is eaten.
- it may be accompanied by (usually low grade) fever.
- swollen lymph nodes may be found (and tender).
- it may recur (like in your case)
If this is your case then antibiotic treatment and pain relief is indicated.
I usually suggest a stronger coverage of the anaerobic spectrum.
This condition is usually caused by obstruction of the salivary gland duct.

I hope I've helped!
If you'd like more information, please provide more details about your symptoms, whether you had fever or not etc and contact me again, using your follow-up questions.

Kind Regards!

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D