Mild Mouth Swelling Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions

7 Possible Mild Mouth Swelling Causes

The list below shows results from the use of our quiz by Buoy users who experienced mild mouth swelling. This list does not constitute medical advice and may not accurately represent what you have.

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 ...

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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 ...

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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 th...

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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 unnoti...

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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

Questions Your Doctor May Ask About Mild Mouth Swelling

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?

If you've answered yes to one or more of these questions

Please take a quiz to find out what might be causing your mild mouth swelling. These questions are also covered.

Mild Mouth Swelling Symptom Checker Statistics

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 Buoy Assistant (a.k.a. the quiz).