Having a cracked or chipped tooth or an untreated cavity can allow bacteria to sneak into the pulp—the soft innards—of your tooth, where they can multiply, says Stewart. The infection results in a collection of pus (ew) and swelling around the tooth or gums. You’ll have a wicked toothache and jawline swelling. Your dentist can prescribe antibiotics and will likely have to perform a root canal to remove the infected nerve; in the meantime, saltwater rinses and OTC painkillers can make you more comfortable.
Nope, not dimpled skin. Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can cause your face (or anywhere else on your body) to rapidly inflate and become hot and red, says Stewart. If you develop these symptoms—and especially if the swelling spreads—high-tail it to the emergency room, stat. Left untreated (a weeklong course of antibiotics should clear it up), the illness can be deadly.