Mild Mouth Swelling Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions

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Learn about your mild mouth swelling, including causes and common questions. Or get a personalized analysis of your mild mouth swelling from our A.I. Symptom Checker. At Buoy, we build tools that help you know what’s wrong right now and how to get the right care.

Your Mild Mouth Swelling May Also be Known as:
Mild mouth puffiness
Mouth a little puffy
Mouth a little swollen
Mouth mildly puffy
Mouth mildly swollen
Mouth slightly puffy
Mouth slightly swollen
Slight mouth puffiness
Slight mouth swelling

Top 7 Mild Mouth Swelling Causes

  1. 1.Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis (Anug)

    Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG) is a relatively rare infection of the gums. It's also known as "trench mouth", as it was discovered in a large number of soldiers in WWI that were stuck in trenches. The pain caused by ANUG is what makes it different from chronic periodontitis, and it requires treatment by professionals.

    You should go to the nearest dentist as soon as possible, or to an urgent care if one is not open at this hour. There, you will be given antibiotics and mouth wash to relieve the pain. You should definitely see a dentist if you go to an urgent care first. The dentist will remove any dead gum tissue to promote healing and help reduce pain.

    Rarity:
    Rare
    Top Symptoms:
    bleeding gums, chronically bad breath, gum pain, severe mouth pain, gum redness
    Urgency:
    In-person visit

  2. 2.Swelling Caused by Use of an Ace Inhibitor

    ACE Inhibitors are drugs used to prevent, treat or improve symptoms in conditions such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, heart failure and diabetes. In rare cases, these drugs can cause an allergic reaction that can be life-threatening.

    You should go to the ER immediately. There, your doctor can consider the possibility of an allergic reaction, treat it, and make sure that you are able to breathe.

    Rarity:
    Common
    Top Symptoms:
    shortness of breath, swollen face, trouble swallowing, swollen lips, swollen tongue
    Symptoms that never occur with swelling caused by use of an ace inhibitor:
    hives, red swollen bumps or patches with a pale center
    Urgency:
    Hospital emergency room

  3. 3.Non - Specific Skin Rash

    A rash is an area of irritated or swollen skin. Often, rashes are unidentifiable and some variation of normal. For example, scratching one's arm causes it to turn red (which is caused by mast cells releasing chemicals into the local area), but that's completely normal.

    At this time, you do not need treatment for this rash. If it worsens, you may need to consult a physician.

    Rarity:
    Common
    Top Symptoms:
    rash
    Symptoms that always occur with non-specific skin rash:
    rash
    Urgency:
    Wait and watch

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  4. 4.Non - Specific Dermatitis (Skin Inflammation)

    Dermatitis is the inflammation ("-itis") of the skin ("derma" is a layer of the skin). It can be caused by any number of causes, from allergies to infections to autoimmune issues. Dermatitis of Normal Variation (also called, "NOS") means that all of those other causes of your rash have been ruled out. This is very common.

    You can treat this at home and the rash should go away on its own. In the meantime, you can use an anti-histamine (both by mouth OR as an ointment), or a topical corticosteroid to treat the itch and/or pain due to the rash.

    Rarity:
    Common
    Top Symptoms:
    red rash, itchy rash, painful rash
    Symptoms that always occur with non-specific dermatitis (skin inflammation):
    red rash
    Urgency:
    Self-treatment

  5. 5.Gingivitis

    Gingivitis is the infection of the gums surrounding the teeth. It is caused by plaque and/or tartar that has built up on your teeth. Plaque is a sticky layer of gunk made by food particles, mucus, and bacteria. After a while, plaque hardens to become tartar (or calculus). Plaque and tartar at the bottom of the teeth causes the gums to become irritated and infected.

    You should go to the nearest dentist in the next few weeks. There, the dentist or dental hygenist will clean your teeth, getting rid of that nasty plaque/tartar. Once cleaned, you should rinse your mouth twice-a-day with chlorhexidine 0.12% oral rinse (PerioGard) or half-strength hydrogen peroxide. Flossing and brushing your teeth are also essential.

    Rarity:
    Uncommon
    Top Symptoms:
    bleeding gums, gum pain, gum swelling, gum redness
    Urgency:
    Primary care doctor

  6. 6.Tension Headache (Previously Undiagnosed)

    Tension-type headaches are the most common type of headache. It is pain or discomfort in the head and/or neck. It is often accompanied by muscle tightness in these areas. This condition can occur as little as once a year but as often as more than 15 days per month (chronic). The cause of tension-type headaches is not clear.

    You can safely treat this condition on your own. Tension-type headaches are diagnosed purely by your symptoms. Medications like over-the-counter pain killers (e.g., ibuprofen or Tylenol) may help. Be cautious with dosage and how often these are used. If these headaches become more chronic in nature, you should visit your primary care physician, who will evaluate your symptoms and may be able to prescribe a stronger medications.

    Rarity:
    Common
    Top Symptoms:
    history of headaches, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, moderate headache, mild headache
    Symptoms that always occur with tension headache (previously undiagnosed):
    history of headaches
    Symptoms that never occur with tension headache (previously undiagnosed):
    change in urine color, hidden: both photo and phonophobia, throbbing headache, headache resulting from a head injury
    Urgency:
    Self-treatment

  7. 7.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.

    You can safely treat this condition on your own because it goes away on it's own. Anti-viral treatment is reserved for those who are immunocompromised or with severe cases. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, etc) works to help with the pain. No antibiotics are useful.

    Rarity:
    Rare
    Top Symptoms:
    gum pain, painful mouth sore, fever, gum swelling, mouth sore surrounded by a red area
    Symptoms that always occur with oral herpes:
    gum pain
    Urgency:
    Self-treatment

Questions Your Doctor May Ask About Mild Mouth Swelling

  • Q.How long has your mouth been swollen?
  • Q.Any fever today or during the last week?
  • Q.Is your mouth swelling constant or come-and-go?
  • Q.Have you been feeling more tired than usual, lethargic or fatigued despite sleeping a normal amount?

If you've answered yes to one or more of these questions, check our mild mouth swelling symptom checker.

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Mild Mouth Swelling Symptom Checker Statistics

  • People who have experienced mild mouth swelling have also experienced:

    • 33% Dry Mouth
    • 8% Unintentional Weight Loss
    • 8% Severe Mouth Pain

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

    • 37% Less Than a Week
    • 35% Less Than a Day
    • 14% Over a Month

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

    • 9% Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis (Anug)
    • 9% Swelling Caused by Use of an Ace Inhibitor
    • 9% Non - Specific Skin Rash

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