Swollen lymph nodes can develop when the body is responding to an infection, including dental infections and throat infections.
Most swollen lymph nodes associated with ordinary infections eventually improve.
A lump that persists, enlarges, becomes hard or fixed, or occurs without an obvious infection should be medically evaluated.
When Should You See a Dentist or Doctor?
A useful rule is to pay attention to persistence and progression.
Consider getting an oral lesion evaluated if it:
• Lasts longer than about two weeks
• Keeps coming back
• Gets larger
• Bleeds without an obvious cause
• Becomes increasingly painful
• Causes numbness
• Makes swallowing or speaking difficult
• Is associated with a persistent neck lump
• Produces unexplained loose teeth
• Is accompanied by unexplained weight loss or other concerning symptoms
These signs do not mean that you have cancer.
They simply mean that the cause should be determined rather than assumed.