Mild Mouth Swelling Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions

Angioedema

Angioedema is a condition which can cause swelling and puffiness of the face, mouth, tongue, hand or genitals. It is often related to an allergic reaction to food, medicines or insect bites.

Rarity: Rare

Top Symptoms: nausea or vomiting, abdominal cramps (stomach cramps), diarrhea, swollen face, hand swelling

Urgency: Hospital emergency room

Allergic reaction (not life-threatening)

When the body encounters a harmful substance, it responds with inflammation and swelling that can be protective. In many individuals, the body responds this way to substances that are not normally harmful, like foods or pollen. This is the basis of allergy, or Type 1 Hypersensitivity.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: swollen face, swollen lips, lip numbness, hives, red swollen bumps or patches with a pale center, lip redness

Symptoms that never occur with allergic reaction (not life-threatening): shortness of breath, throat itching

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening condition most commonly caused by an allergic reaction. In anaphylaxis, two types of immune cells — mast cells and basophils — are suddenly activated and release numerous inflammatory substances that cause blood vessels to dilate and become leaky, which can lead to low blood pressure, swelling, and damage to organs.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis include itching, redness, and warmth in the form of hives, as well as itching or(https://www.buoyhealth.com/symptoms-a-z/severe-face-swelling/) as well as difficulty breathing and nasal congestion. Several other symptoms are also likely.

Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. Treatment options will likely involve an epinephrine injection (same contents as in an EpiPen), followed by oxygen and IV fluids, other medications, and an action plan for possible future incidents.

Rarity: Rare

Top Symptoms: nausea or vomiting, headache, stomach bloating, abdominal cramps (stomach cramps), being severely ill

Urgency: Emergency medical service

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums. It is typically caused by poor dental hygiene and the buildup of bacteria. Its hallmark symptoms are swollen, discolored, bleeding gums. The main risk factors for the development of the disease are increasing age, smoking, and dry mouth. It is both treatable and preventable by engaging in recommended dental hygiene practices. A dentist can also treat the disease by cleaning plaque off your teeth, giving you a special mouthwash, and flossing your teeth. If gingivitis is not treated, it can progress to a more aggressive disease, called periodontitis, or can cause an infection of the gums, including the formation of an abscess.

Rarity: Uncommon

Top Symptoms: bleeding gums, gum pain, gum swelling, gum redness

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Ludwig's angina

Ludwig's angina is a rare but serious infection of the space below the jaw and the floor of the mouth, under the tongue. This illness is not to be confused with "angina" which refers to cardiac pain due to coronary artery disease. The infection usually starts in the floor of the mouth then quickly spreads to the area around the jaw on both sides of the face. Ludwig's angina is considered a medical emergency due to risks of impaired breathing.

Symptoms include fever and chills, mouth pain, a swollen tongue, a stiff neck, drooling and trouble swallowing, a muffled voice or trouble speaking and breathing.

Treatments include antibiotics, surgery to remove infection, and the installation of a tube to assist with breathing in severe cases.

Rarity: Rare

Top Symptoms: shortness of breath, fever, being severely ill, trouble swallowing, neck pain

Urgency: Hospital emergency room

Cold sore

A cold sore is a skin lesion on the lips caused by infection with the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Cold sores are extremely common. In fact, most adults are infected with HSV, usually transmitted in childhood by normal close contact with parents, siblings or friends.

While the infection can be entirely unnoticed, or asymptomatic, the cold sores themselves are usually visible and sometimes painful. In an otherwise healthy individual, they are essentially harmless, though their appearance can cause a great deal of distress.

As with most viruses, there is no cure for HSV infection, though certain medications can decrease the rate of outbreaks for those who are severely afflicted.

Rarity: Uncommon

Top Symptoms: mouth lesions, itchy mouth, pain on the outside of the lips, lip numbness, burning pain on the outside of the lips

Symptoms that always occur with cold sore: mouth lesions

Urgency: Self-treatment

Oral herpes

Herpetic stomatitis is a viral infection of the mouth that causes fever and red and inflamed gums. This typically happens early in childhood.

Rarity: Rare

Top Symptoms: fever, gum pain, painful mouth sore, gum swelling, gum redness

Symptoms that always occur with oral herpes: gum pain

Urgency: Self-treatment

To diagnose this condition, your doctor would likely ask the following questions:

• Do you have a rash?
• Does your throat feel itchy or irritated?
• What part of your mouth is swollen?
• Are your symptoms worse while eating?

The above questions are also covered by our A.I. Health Assistant.

People who have experienced mild mouth swelling have also experienced:

• 9% Dry Mouth
• 7% Jaw Pain
• 7% Itchy Mouth

People who have experienced mild mouth swelling were most often matched with:

• 41% Anaphylaxis
• 35% Angioedema
• 23% Allergic Reaction (Not Life-Threatening)

People who have experienced mild mouth swelling had symptoms persist for:

• 41% Less than a day
• 38% Less than a week
• 10% Over a month

Source: Aggregated and anonymized results from visits to the Buoy AI health assistant (check it out by clicking on “Take Quiz”).