Swollen cheek and lump/hardening, causes?

[erica1991]

I recently saw the dentist because I had swelling on the outside of my cheek towards the bottom, the inside of my cheek is a really swollen (it feels fluffy) and I was having pain. Prior to that I saw a general doctor who noted that I had an ulcer in my left nose and an ulcer on the effected side of mouth (right side, left is totally fine) and said my gums looked bad and I needed to see a dentist. The dentist told me the swelling and pain could be from a parotid gland infection, so he prescribed antibiotics that's 1 pill 4x a day. However, when he said that he felt inside my mouth, he said the area I am describing pain and swelling, has "hardened" and that he felt a lump back there. If my symptoms and the lump do not subside with antibiotics I have to see an ENT.  Does anyone have any idea what it could be? I should note that dental infection and all other dental stuff was ruled out

[erica1991]

I forgot to mention, he said the large lump underneath my chin could be a stone also but did not feel it. Would this area show up on a cat scan that was ordered for the face?

[erica1991]

I saw an ENT last week because I did not respond to antibiotics. He said there is a nodule in the parotid gland and the nodule is blocking the salivary duct, causing the feeling of fullness and swelling. I also have a large lymph node under the jaw on that side that has not gone down in size (other side is fine). He said it could be a salivary stone (or multiple) or a small tumor or cyst in the parotid gland. I go for a cat scan w/ and w/o contrast of the soft tissue of my face on Tuesday. He scheduled me for a follow up the week after my scan to discuss my results. Hoping for good news.

[SassyLassie]

I would get a second opinion, it sure sounds like an infection to me.

[erica1991]

Thought I would update this post. It was a very bery narrow parotid duct that I just had surgery on to open it back up. May be from sjrogrens.