Cellulitis in the mouth: what to know

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection in deeper tissue. In the mouth area, infection may arise near a tooth, gum, lip, cheek, or a break in the lining. Pain, warmth, redness, facial swelling, gum tenderness, bad taste, or pus can occur. The mouth may be difficult to open, and chewing or swallowing may hurt. A dental abscess and cellulitis can occur together, so the source may need dental treatment as well as medical care.

Contact a dentist or healthcare professional promptly for mouth swelling, facial redness, worsening pain, or suspected infection. Sip fluids if swallowing is comfortable and keep the mouth as clean as you can without irritating the area. Do not pierce swelling, place aspirin on the gum, or use leftover antibiotics. Share any recent dental work, tooth pain, fever, allergies, and regular medicines. Treatment is selected after an examination and may include prescribed antibiotics and drainage or dental care when needed.

Go to emergency care for difficulty breathing or swallowing, drooling, a rapidly enlarging tongue or floor-of-mouth swelling, a muffled voice, inability to open the mouth, confusion, faintness, or severe weakness. Facial swelling with fever or spreading redness also needs urgent review. Deeper infection can extend into the neck or contribute to Sepsis, so worsening symptoms require immediate action.

Ask whether a tooth, gum, wound, or another site is the source; whether dental treatment is needed; and how to recognise extension into the neck. Ask how to use prescribed medicine, what foods and fluids are suitable, and when the swelling should be checked again.