What is the disease that makes your cheeks swollen?: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

October 1, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the CDC, mumps was a common childhood illness before the MMR vaccine, and it remains one of the most recognizable infectious diseases that can make your cheeks swollen due to inflamed salivary glands. While mumps is a prominent cause, it is far from the only one; a range of infections, dental problems, and other medical conditions can also lead to facial swelling.

Quick Summary

Several medical conditions can cause cheek swelling, from viral infections like mumps to bacterial issues like dental abscesses or cellulitis. The underlying cause determines the symptoms and necessary treatment, which can range from antibiotics to addressing systemic illnesses or managing inflammation. Prompt diagnosis is crucial for preventing complications.

Key Points

Mumps is a viral cause: Mumps, caused by a viral infection of the salivary glands, leads to the classic “puffy cheek” appearance, often accompanied by fever and headache.
Dental abscesses are serious: A bacterial tooth infection can form an abscess that spreads to facial tissues, causing painful, localized cheek swelling that requires professional dental treatment.
Cellulitis requires antibiotics: Facial cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that causes red, tender, and warm swelling and requires prompt antibiotic therapy to prevent it from spreading.
Systemic diseases can be the culprit: Conditions like Cushing's syndrome (excess cortisol) and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) can cause a puffy face and require management of the underlying hormonal or systemic imbalance.
Allergic reactions need immediate attention: Sudden facial swelling, especially if it affects breathing, could be a severe allergic reaction (angioedema) and requires emergency medical care.
Diagnosis is key: A healthcare provider can determine the cause through a physical exam, patient history, and tests like imaging or blood work to ensure proper treatment.
Never ignore severe symptoms: Difficulty breathing, high fever, or rapidly worsening swelling are red flags that necessitate immediate emergency medical attention.

Common infectious causes

Infections are a leading cause of cheek swelling, triggering inflammation as the body fights off bacteria or viruses. Identifying the specific type of infection is essential for proper treatment.

Mumps

Mumps is a viral infection that primarily targets the salivary glands, particularly the parotid glands located in front of the ears and below the jaw. This causes the characteristic swollen, “puffy” cheek appearance, which can affect one or both sides of the face. The swelling is often accompanied by fever, headache, and muscle aches, and typically resolves within a couple of weeks. Vaccination through the MMR vaccine has made mumps much less common, but outbreaks can still occur.

Dental abscess

A dental abscess is a pus-filled pocket resulting from a bacterial infection at the root of a tooth or in the gums. The infection can spread to surrounding tissues, causing significant swelling in the cheek or jaw. This swelling is often accompanied by a persistent, throbbing toothache, sensitivity to hot and cold, and fever. Untreated abscesses can lead to serious health complications as the infection spreads.

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the deeper layers of skin and soft tissue, which can appear on the face. It causes the affected skin to become red, painful, warm, and swollen. Bacteria often enter the skin through a cut, scrape, or insect bite. Facial cellulitis requires prompt antibiotic treatment to prevent the infection from spreading, which can lead to serious complications if it enters the bloodstream.

Salivary gland infection (sialadenitis)

This bacterial infection of the salivary glands can cause painful, one-sided cheek swelling, especially in the area below the jaw or in front of the ear. It may be caused by a blockage from a salivary stone (sialolithiasis). Sialadenitis symptoms include fever, chills, and pus that may drain into the mouth.

Chronic conditions and systemic issues

Beyond acute infections, several underlying medical conditions can cause chronic or recurring facial swelling.

Cushing's syndrome

Cushing's syndrome results from prolonged exposure to high levels of the hormone cortisol. A hallmark symptom is a rounded, swollen face, often described as “moon face,” caused by increased fat deposits. Other signs include weight gain, fatigue, and muscle weakness. It can be caused by a tumor or the long-term use of corticosteroid medications.

Hypothyroidism

An underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) can cause fluid buildup in tissues, leading to a puffy, swollen face, particularly around the eyes and cheeks. This condition is also associated with fatigue, weight gain, joint pain, and an increased sensitivity to cold.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

Inflammation of the temporomandibular joint, which connects the jawbone to the skull, can cause facial swelling, tenderness, and pain in the jaw and cheek muscles. This pain often worsens with jaw movement and can be accompanied by jaw stiffness, headaches, and a clicking sensation.

Allergic reactions

Sudden facial swelling can indicate a severe allergic reaction known as angioedema. This swelling happens beneath the skin and is often triggered by allergens like certain foods, insect stings, or medications. If angioedema affects the lips, tongue, or throat and causes breathing difficulties, it is a medical emergency.

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosing the cause of swollen cheeks involves a physical examination and may require additional testing. A doctor will typically ask about the onset and progression of symptoms, check for pain and tenderness, and examine the mouth, teeth, and glands. Blood tests or imaging studies, such as X-rays or CT scans, may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment depends on the underlying cause:

Infections: Bacterial infections like dental abscesses and cellulitis are treated with antibiotics. Warm compresses can help relieve pain from sialadenitis, while tooth infections may require drainage or a root canal.
Chronic conditions: Systemic issues like Cushing's syndrome and hypothyroidism require managing the underlying disease with medication. For Cushing's syndrome caused by medication, a healthcare provider may adjust the treatment under medical supervision.
TMJ disorders: Treatment may include soft food diets, over-the-counter pain relievers, and jaw-strengthening exercises. In some cases, mouthguards or physical therapy may be recommended.
Allergic reactions: Minor allergic reactions can be treated with antihistamines. Severe reactions (anaphylaxis) require immediate emergency medical care and epinephrine.

When to see a doctor

While mild swelling may resolve on its own, it is crucial to seek professional medical help if the swelling is persistent, severe, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms. These can include:

Sudden, rapid, or severe swelling
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Fever, chills, or skin that is warm and red
Intense pain that does not improve
Swelling that does not subside within 48 hours
Signs of an infection, such as pus draining from a wound

An untreated infection can spread, leading to life-threatening complications, so prompt evaluation is essential.

Comparison of common cheek swelling causes


Feature	Mumps	Dental Abscess	Facial Cellulitis	Allergic Reaction (Angioedema)
Symptom Profile	Swollen salivary glands, fever, headache, muscle aches.	Severe, throbbing tooth pain, gum swelling, fever.	Red, warm, painful, and tender skin, fever, chills.	Rapid, sudden swelling of face, lips, tongue; itching, hives.
Onset	Gradually over days (2-4 weeks after exposure).	Can develop gradually or rapidly from an untreated tooth infection.	Often begins at a wound site and can spread quickly.	Can occur within minutes to hours of allergen exposure.
Location	One or both cheeks, near the jawline and ears.	One side of the face, centered around the infected tooth.	Localized swelling that may spread rapidly.	Can affect cheeks, lips, tongue, eyes, and throat.
Primary Cause	Viral infection of the salivary glands.	Bacterial infection inside a tooth or gum tissue.	Bacterial infection of deeper skin layers, from a break in the skin.	Immune system response to an allergen or medication.

Conclusion

While the answer to “what is the disease that makes your cheeks swollen?” is most famously mumps, it’s important to recognize the diverse array of potential causes. From dental infections and cellulitis to systemic conditions and allergic reactions, facial swelling can indicate a wide range of underlying health issues. A comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare provider is the best way to accurately diagnose the problem and receive the necessary treatment. Ignoring persistent or severe facial swelling, especially when accompanied by fever or breathing problems, can lead to serious complications and should be avoided. Timely medical attention is key for both effective treatment and peace of mind. For more information on general health topics, consult reliable resources like the Cleveland Clinic website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a tooth abscess, or a pocket of pus from a bacterial tooth infection, can cause significant facial swelling as the infection spreads into surrounding tissues. This is considered a dental emergency and should be treated by a dentist promptly.

You should be concerned if the swelling is sudden, severe, or accompanied by symptoms such as fever, difficulty breathing, or intense pain that doesn't subside. These signs could indicate a serious infection or allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention.

'Moon face' is a rounded, swollen appearance of the face caused by excess fat deposits, a symptom often associated with Cushing's syndrome. This hormonal disorder is caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol.

No, while mumps is a well-known cause due to viral infection of the salivary glands, many other conditions can lead to swollen cheeks. These include dental infections, cellulitis, and autoimmune diseases.

Yes, some medications can cause facial swelling as a side effect or due to an allergic reaction. Long-term use of corticosteroids is a common cause, and certain blood pressure medications can also be a factor.

Yes, hormonal imbalances can cause facial swelling. For example, hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) can cause puffiness, and high cortisol levels in Cushing's syndrome can lead to a rounded, swollen face.

Doctors diagnose the cause of a swollen cheek by performing a physical examination and taking a medical history. Depending on the suspected cause, they may also order dental X-rays, blood tests, or other imaging studies.