What Causes Swollen Lymph Nodes?

Posted on Sat, 20 Sep 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 20 Sep 2014 Answered on

Fri, 17 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I have very swollen painful glands in my neck and seems to occur when wearing my bottom dentures. I have also just had bronchtis for 5 weeks after having two seperate doses of anti biotics. Still have the cough but not as bad now. Confused as to which is causing the swollen glands?

Answered by Dr. Prahlad Duggal (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Irritation and infection at the site of lower dent

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for the query.

A denture is a foreign body and it lies over the mucosal lining of the oral cavity.

An ill fitting denture will lead to irritation of the mucosal lining leading to inflammation of mucosa and thus the resultant lymph node enlargement.

Improper care and hygiene as well as unsuitability of the material of which denture has been made can also result in glands enlargement. An ulcer formation in the mucosa will also lead to this.

Please get a complete dental check up done. Take good care of denture, and see to it that denture fits perfectly.

Use an antiseptic gargle frequently.

Feel free to ask another query.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prahlad Duggal (15 minutes later)

I am using listerine mouthwash and making sure my denture is cleaned thoroughly. My dentist has just built up my temporary denture to fit better. But since then have had problems with the swollen glands. So could it be the material used that is causing it?

Answered by Dr. Prahlad Duggal (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Possibility can not be ruled out

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for the query.

Possibility of intolerance to the dental material can not be ruled out but usually the material used is inert.

As your problem started after the adjustment for fitting, the possibility of ill fitting still remains as well as of rough surface being there because of addition of material is more likely.

If you are not facing any problem with the fitting now, there is no ulcer and you are maintaining a good orodental hygiene, continue using it for few weeks and the problem should subside as initial reaction tends to be self limiting.

Feel free to ask another query.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar