There's a painful swelling in the jaw area under the cheek.

A lump with swelling and pain under the jaw and mandible may be caused by submandibular sialadenitis, lymphadenitis, tonsillitis, etc. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Submandibular Sialadenitis

If submandibular sialadenitis occurs, it is usually painless, though occasional mild swelling and pain may appear. However, the discomfort tends to worsen during eating, and tenderness may be detected upon palpation of the submandibular triangle area. Patients can follow medical advice to use traditional Chinese medicine preparations for treatment, such as Pudilan Xiaoyan Oral Liquid or Angong Niuhuang Pills.

2. Lymphadenitis

A tender mass near the jaw angle may indicate inflamed and enlarged lymph nodes. The mass is typically round or oval in shape and movable. During the acute phase of lymphadenitis, patients may take anti-inflammatory medications as prescribed, such as Cefuroxime Axetil Tablets or Ibuprofen Tablets.

3. Tonsillitis

This condition generally occurs when a decrease in body resistance allows pathogens to invade the tonsils, causing an inflammatory response. Common symptoms include high fever, chills, vomiting, and pain in the cheek area. In such cases, patients may take medications like Amoxicillin Capsules or Ribavirin Tablets under a doctor's guidance.

In addition, similar symptoms could also result from gingivitis, rhinitis, periodontitis, nasopharyngeal cancer, etc. It is recommended that patients seek timely evaluation at a reputable hospital upon experiencing the above symptoms and choose appropriate treatment based on diagnostic results.