Be careful, swollen cheeks may be a sign of a dangerous disease!

Swollen cheeks are usually caused by salivary gland disorders, which cause saliva production. Saliva is important to help activities in the mouth, such as helping to swallow, help digest food, lubricate the mouth and protect teeth from bacteria.
Basically, abnormalities of the salivary glands are caused by blockages, infections, inflammation or even tumors. Symptoms that arise in your glandular problems also vary. Some are recurrent, acute (short term) or chronic (prolonged).

Saliva is not an ordinary liquid, but a mixture of water, lubricants, electrolytes, enzymes and antimicrobial compounds. All of these substances become one, preventing mouth problems and protecting teeth.

There are three pairs of salivary glands, namely:

Parotid gland (inside the cheek)
Submaxillary gland (located on the floor of the mouth)
Sublingual gland (under the tongue)

Apart from three pairs of glands, there are still other minor glands. Several hundred minor glands are found in the mouth and throat.

If there is a problem with the salivary glands, you may experience fever, dry mouth, pain, feel pain when eating and swollen salivary glands to allow swelling in the cheeks.

Disease that causes swollen cheeks
If your cheeks are swollen, your salivary glands may have problems. Here are some diseases associated with salivary glands that can cause swelling in the cheeks.

infection

Have you ever heard of mumps? This disease is caused by a paramyxovirus infection that attacks the parotid gland. Because of its position in the cheek, swelling of this gland will cause swelling in the cheek. Swelling can occur on both sides, giving an image similar to chipmunks cheeks.

Shitoliths

In this condition, saliva will crystallize. Hard saliva can block the flow of saliva-producing ducts. As a result, it can cause swelling and pain that is not certain. This condition usually attacks the submaxillary gland. But some cases can also attack the parotid gland, which also causes swelling of the affected area.

sialadenitis

Also called salivary gland infection. This problem occurs because the salivary glands have a bacterial infection. Of the three salivary glands, the most common parotid gland is a bacterial infection. It also increases the risk in sialoliths patients. This condition can cause lumps in the gland and even pus. If sialadenitis is left untreated and causes swollen cheeks, this salivary gland infection can cause high fever, pus buildup, and severe pain.

Tumor

Sometimes swelling of the salivary glands is a sign of tumor growth. These tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign). The types of tumors that most often attack the salivary glands are pleomorphic adenomas and Warthin tumors. Both tumors more often attack the parotid gland, but can also attack the submaxillary glands and minor saliva.

Swollen cheeks can also be caused by toothache
Toothache is a common complaint. However, persistent complaints or unbearable pain can indicate that a more serious problem has occurred. The symptoms of toothache are not limited to thrilling teeth, they can also be accompanied by other symptoms such as: chewing pain, sensitivity to cold or heat, swelling around the teeth, jaw or playing.

For those of you who have swollen cheeks, it is advisable to see a doctor, because the size of the enlarged cheeks should not be left with the hope that it will heal by itself.