What should I do if I have toothache and swollen lymph nodes?

If you experience tooth pain in the mouth—and especially if the pain has already caused localized lymph node swelling—you should promptly visit the Department of Dentistry at a hospital. A dentist must examine which tooth is affected and determine the underlying cause of the pain. Tooth pain is particularly pronounced in cases of chronic or acute apical periodontitis, pulpitis, and pericoronitis of the third molars (wisdom teeth); similarly, localized lymph node swelling is also notably evident in these conditions.

Initial treatment focuses on addressing the dental condition: root canal therapy is indicated for pulpitis and apical periodontitis, while local irrigation and topical medication are used for pericoronitis of the third molars. If the swollen lymph nodes are markedly tender, intravenous anti-inflammatory therapy is required. If pain and swelling are mild, oral anti-inflammatory medications may suffice; a combination of ceftriaxone (or another cephalosporin) and ornidazole is commonly recommended.