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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Swelling In The Right Side Of The Face?

Hello. Looking for an answer for my husband. He suddenly noticed sudden swelling on the right side of his face mainly around the TMJ area and forward a few inches. He had been eating salad, nothing that would tax the joint itself. He says it's tender but not painful. He has no fever. Is the muscle itself swollen? Very difficult without seeing the problem, I realize, but possibly you could throw out a few possibilities? I worked in the dental field for a long time, but can't remember what caused this same problem for a patient many yrs. ago.
Thanks, Sandy W.
posted on Sun, 26 Feb 2017
Twitter Thu, 9 Mar 2017 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 9 Mar 2017 Last reviewed on
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Dentist,  's  Response
Hi..
Thanks for the query..

It looks like swelling over the jaw joint area and infront of the ear that is slightly tender but not painful is due to swelling in the Parotid gland..
As the swelling is sudden it can be most probably due to obstruction on the duct of the gland by formation of crystalline stones in the duct of the gland known as salivary stones or Sialoliths..
It can also be due to any foreign body like a small particle if food obstructing the duct opening..
So my suggestion is to consult an Oral Surgeon and get evaluated..
A cross sectional x ray can be advised to rule out and confirm the cause..
In case of obstruction he will be first of all advised to eat plenty of sugar free chewing gum and suck tart candies as at times the obstructing object gets flushed out with flow of saliva..
If this does not seems to work then surgical removal under Sialoscope that is a kind of endoscope will help..

Hope this information helps..

Regards..
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What Causes Swelling In The Right Side Of The Face?

Hi.. Thanks for the query.. It looks like swelling over the jaw joint area and infront of the ear that is slightly tender but not painful is due to swelling in the Parotid gland.. As the swelling is sudden it can be most probably due to obstruction on the duct of the gland by formation of crystalline stones in the duct of the gland known as salivary stones or Sialoliths.. It can also be due to any foreign body like a small particle if food obstructing the duct opening.. So my suggestion is to consult an Oral Surgeon and get evaluated.. A cross sectional x ray can be advised to rule out and confirm the cause.. In case of obstruction he will be first of all advised to eat plenty of sugar free chewing gum and suck tart candies as at times the obstructing object gets flushed out with flow of saliva.. If this does not seems to work then surgical removal under Sialoscope that is a kind of endoscope will help.. Hope this information helps.. Regards..