7 Potential Mild Mouth Swelling Causes
Disclaimer: The article does not replace an evaluation by a physician. Information on this page is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes.
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.
Good prognosis with treatment. Without treatment, ANUG can become recurrent and chronic.
- Rarity:
- Rare
- Top Symptoms:
- bleeding gums, gum pain, chronically bad breath, severe mouth pain, gum swelling
- Urgency:
- In-person visit
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.
With proper treatment and removal of the drug, prognosis is good.
- 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.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.
1-2 days
- Rarity:
- Common
- Top Symptoms:
- rash
- Symptoms that always occur with non-specific skin rash:
- rash
- Urgency:
- Wait and watch
Mild Mouth Swelling Checker
Take a quiz to find out why you’re having mild mouth swelling.
Take a quiz4.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.
1-2 days
- 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.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.
Great, with dental care and improvement in dental hygiene
- Rarity:
- Uncommon
- Top Symptoms:
- bleeding gums, gum pain, gum swelling, gum redness
- Urgency:
- Primary care doctor
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.
Tension-type headache symptoms usually resolve within a few hours but can last up to a week. However, if this particular episode is unusually severe or debilitating, you may want to see a doctor urgently.
- Rarity:
- Common
- Top Symptoms:
- history of headaches, nausea or vomiting, moderate headache, loss of appetite, 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, photo and phonophobia, throbbing headache, headache resulting from a head injury
- Urgency:
- Self-treatment
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.
1-2 weeks but recurrent
- 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
- Q.Do you have a rash?
- Q.What part of your mouth is swollen?
- Q.Does your throat feel itchy or irritated?
- Q.Any fever today or during the last week?
If you've answered yes to one or more of these questions, try our mild mouth swelling symptom checker to find out more.
Take a quizMild Mouth Swelling Symptom Checker Statistics
People who have experienced mild mouth swelling have also experienced:
- 10% Dry Mouth
- 7% Jaw Pain
- 7% Itchy Mouth
People who have experienced mild mouth swelling had symptoms persist for:
- 40% Less Than a Day
- 38% Less Than a Week
- 10% Over a Month
People who have experienced mild mouth swelling were most often matched with:
- 4% Swelling Caused by Use of an Ace Inhibitor
- 2% Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis (Anug)
- 2% Non - Specific Skin Rash
Source: Aggregated and anonymized results from visits to the Buoy AI health assistant (check it out by clicking on “Take Quiz”).