I Have a Lump on My Jawline β What Could It Be?
Feeling a lump along your jawline can be confusing. Here is a guide to what it might be.
Lumps along the jawline can come from several different structures. The most common causes include:
- Swollen lymph node β lymph nodes run along the jawline and can swell from dental infections, colds, or throat infections
- Salivary gland swelling β the submandibular gland sits under the jawbone and can swell from infection or a stone
- Dental abscess β an infected tooth can cause a tender lump on the jawbone
- Sebaceous cyst β a harmless, slow-growing cyst in the skin
- Lymph node β the node itself can be benign or reactive
- Bone lump β benign bone growths (like mandibular tori) or, rarely, a jaw tumor
What to Look For
- Usually not serious:
- Lump that appeared with a toothache or dental problem
- Tender, painful lump (likely infection)
- Soft, movable lump in the skin
- Goes away with treatment of the underlying cause
- Hard, smooth bump inside the mouth along the jaw (likely tori)
- Worth having checked:
- Painless lump that persists after dental problems are treated
- Lump that is hard and fixed to the bone
- Growing lump over weeks or months
- Numbness in your lower lip or chin
- Lump accompanied by a non-healing sore in the mouth
When to See a Doctor
- See a dentist or doctor if:
- The lump lasts more than 3 weeks without going away
- You have numbness in your chin or lower lip
- The lump is growing
- You have no obvious infection or dental cause
- You have a non-healing sore in your mouth on the same side