At 23, oral cancer is very rare. Your symptoms?the rough cheek, red area, and pulsing jaw swelling?are likely caused by mechanical irritation from your rubbing wisdom tooth and a localized dental infection. Kenacort (triamcinolone) should be paused, as steroids can sometimes worsen infections. You may temporarily continue Betadine (povidone-iodine) gargle and Dologel CT to soothe the discomfort, but it is highly recommended to visit a dentist promptly. They can evaluate the wisdom tooth and the jaw swelling to safely resolve the root cause of your discomfort.

Gargle with warm salt water or an antiseptic mouthwash (such as povidone-iodine) a few times a day to ease your sore throat. Stay hydrated by sipping warm fluids, such as tea or soup. For mouth ulcers, apply a protective oral gel or antiseptic ointment, and avoid spicy, acidic, or rough foods. Take paracetamol to reduce pain and mild fever if needed. Please see a doctor if your symptoms worsen or do not improve.

You can certainly apply Betadine (povidone-iodine) to help keep the wound clean. However, I highly recommend avoiding loose cotton to cover it. Cotton fibers can easily stick to the healing wound bed, which can cause pain and disrupt the healing process when removed. Instead, it is much safer to cover the area with a sterile, non-stick bandage or sterile gauze. This will keep your wound clean and protected.

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It is very common to feel a sudden sting or increased pain when applying antiseptics like Dettol or Betadine to a healing scrape. These solutions are quite strong and can irritate exposed nerve endings or disrupt the delicate new skin cells trying to heal the area. For now, please gently rinse the wound with lukewarm water or sterile saline to wash away the antiseptic. Keeping the wound moist with a thin layer of plain petroleum jelly and covering it with a clean bandage will help it heal comfortably. Avoid harsh chemicals on it going forward. If you notice spreading redness, warmth, or worsening swelling, please have a doctor take a look.

Maintain proper dental hygiene by brushing twice a day, flossing, and routinely cleaning your tongue to lessen bad breath. Mouthwash, avoiding strong-smelling foods, and drinking lots of water can all help, but persistent foul breath should be examined by a dentist or physician.