What a Lump on the Jawline Could Indicate

A bump, mass, or swollen area along the jawline might cause a fright. However, the lump could indicate many harmless or easily treatable conditions — from something as simple as an insect sting to as common as a swollen lymph node. Tumors — both cancerous and benign — are rarer but should always be ruled out by a medical provider. Check out these common causes for jawline lumps:

A severely abscessed tooth usually develops from an untreated cavity. The harmful bacteria reach the blood vessels and nerves in the tooth’s inner chamber to infect the pulp canal system. A tooth fracture, severe trauma, or problems with the existing root canal can also lead to an abscessed tooth. The abscess can cause significant swelling, forming a lump along your jawline. The onset of the swelling is usually rapid and severely painful.

Treatment: Make an appointment with your dentist immediately to examine the tooth. Treatment usually requires extraction or a root canal. Your dentist might also drain the area and prescribe antibiotics for the infection.

A movable lump on your jawbone could indicate a swollen lymph node. A network of lymph nodes helps your immune system protect your body from illnesses. These lymph nodes are located in the head and neck, including under the jaw and chin. When your lymph nodes swell, it usually signals the presence of an infection, such as the cold, flu, ear infection, sinus infection, strep throat, and more. An abscessed tooth can also cause a swollen lymph node. The swollen lymph node can vary in size and might feel tender when you touch it, chew or turn your head.

Treatment: You will need to treat the underlying infection to reduce your lymph node swelling. Your dentist or physician might prescribe an antibiotic or antiviral medication or an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever to treat the inflammation. Severe cases might require the lymph nodes to be drained of pus.

Other non-cancerous growths might also cause a lump to appear along your jawline. Cysts are sacs filled with fluid or other matter, while benign tumors are formed when cells divide at an abnormal rate. These cysts and tumors cannot infect neighboring tissue or spread throughout the body. Though they are generally pain-free to the touch, these cysts and tumors can cause discomfort when they grow and put pressure on nearby structures.