I Have a Swelling Under My Jaw That Comes and Goes
A swelling under your jaw that appears and disappears can be puzzling. Here is what might be happening.
A swelling under the jaw that comes and goes, especially with eating, is a classic sign of a salivary gland issue.
- Common causes include:
- Salivary stone (sialolithiasis) β a stone in the submandibular gland duct blocks saliva flow; the gland swells when you eat because saliva cannot escape, then goes down after eating
- Salivary gland infection β can cause swelling that fluctuates
- Chronic sialadenitis β repeated inflammation of the salivary gland
- Blocked duct β from mucus plug or narrowing, not necessarily a stone
- Submandibular gland tumor β usually a painless, persistent lump rather than one that comes and goes
A swelling that comes and goes with meals is very characteristic of a salivary stone or duct blockage. This is rarely cancer.
What to Look For
- Usually not serious:
- Swelling that starts when you eat or even think about food
- Goes down within an hour or two after eating
- Pain that comes and goes with the swelling
- You can sometimes taste a salty or bad taste when the swelling goes down
- Has been happening for a while without getting worse
- Worth having checked:
- Swelling that does not go down after eating
- Swelling that is getting larger over time
- Painless, persistent lump under the jaw
- Redness or tenderness in the area
- Fever or feeling unwell
When to See a Doctor
- See an ENT doctor or dentist if:
- The swelling does not go down after eating
- It is becoming more frequent or more severe
- You have a persistent lump even when not eating
- You have pain that is not going away
- You have difficulty opening your mouth