Dental cellulitis: causes, symptoms and treatments

Cellulite is not only reserved for the thighs, because it is also dental! This form of cellulite is a serious condition, extremely painful and dangerous if not treated quickly.

In this article we explain how to recognize dental cellulite and describes the treatment that will be offered to make it disappear as quickly as possible.

What is dental cellulite?

Dental cellulitis is also called cervico-facial cellulitis. When it surrounds a tooth all around, it is called circumscribed cellulitis. It is often due to an untreated or poorly treated infection that degenerates. It then extends more widely into the mouth and affects the fat of the face, especially the cheeks, as well as the throat and eyes.

If left untreated and spread, dental cellulitis becomes extremely dangerous and can even be fatal, as the swelling of the flesh causes suffocation by choking the airway.

Before reaching this extreme, dental cellulite settles in the deep tissues of the oral cavity, including the gums, then the face and neck. It affects all tissues, muscles and fats.

Who is affected by dental cellulite?

Everyone is affected by dental cellulite, including children. Being often the consequence of a badly treated cavity , it naturally affects all ages. It can also be caused by an illness, such as a phlegmon in the tonsils or angina.

What are the symptoms of dental cellulitis?

Dental cellulitis evolves in two stages: first it is visible because of the swelling of the flesh, then it becomes painful.

The serous phase

Dental cellulitis begins with the serous phase. It manifests itself by the swelling of the cheek and/or the neck which become hot, but without being too painful. However, you may have difficulty swallowing. It then worsens with a fever, while the swelling spreads to the area under your tongue, as well as the roof of your mouth. If your dental cellulitis is located in the upper part of the dental arch, your eye may also appear puffy.

Suppuration phase

The suppuration phase generates pus and gases that cause these blisters. If you press it, you will hear small squeaks, similar to footsteps in the snow. The part you are squeezing crushes under your fingers and causes the adjacent area to swell, due to the displacement of gases.

Dental cellulitis quickly becomes painful, even unbearable. The pain is throbbing and redoubles during the night, because of the lying down position which blocks even more the blood circulation. The swollen areas become more and more painful and red.

If you notice these symptoms, you should urgently visit your dentist . If he is not available, because his emergency slot is already taken, he must transfer you to an available colleague.

To find a dentist as quickly as possible, call this information line:

Fistulization phase

If you wait any longer, you will reach the fistulization phase. Your face becomes deformed, until the skin no longer has enough elasticity. It then cracks to let the pus drain out.

How to avoid dental cellulite?

Oral hygiene and at least an annual check-up are the two most important conditions to avoid any risk of dental cellulitis. Brushing your teeth is essential after each meal. If you have very crowded teeth, floss regularly to remove food debris that gets stuck between your teeth and promotes cavities.

The annual check-up allows the detection of infections when they are still benign and treatable with very light treatments.

If you are being treated for a cavity or other infection and you continue to experience pain, even though the healing should be complete, you should inform your dentist immediately.

Both of these tips are especially important if you are in the population most at risk for this type of infection, namely, smokers, diabetics and people with immune suppression.

How is dental cellulitis treated?

If cellulitis is diagnosed by your dentist, he or she will prescribe a strong medication to stop the infection. It will consist of oral antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and painkillers.

If the infection is very advanced, antibiotics by intravenous injection may be used to treat the emergency.

At the same time, the dentist implements the necessary means to treat the infection, depending on its extent. It can drain the swollen area to remove pus and gas. For the tooth itself, depending on the damage, he removes all or part of it and replaces it with amalgam, a crown or an implant.

Conclusion

Dental cellulitis is not an infection to be taken lightly. This oral pathology occurs when a first infection has been badly treated. When the first symptoms are discovered, it is important to make an appointment with the dentist as soon as possible. The latter usually recommends treatment with medication to reduce inflammation.

FAQ

What are the signs of dental cellulite?

Among the most important symptoms are: inflammation, redness, swelling of the cheeks, fever and headaches.

How to perform a dental cellulite drainage?

Drainage is essential when dental cellulitis reaches its suppuration phase. Drainage can be performed endobuccally or exobuccally.

What are the symptoms of infectious cellulitis?

Localized redness, swelling, heat and pain are the 4 signs that symbolize the appearance of infectious cellulitis.