Hi nabber,

There is no way for me to know if it was infection but that possibility should not be ruled out. Pus is not always present or visible with infection and sometimes the pus is only present at certain stages of an infection.

At this stage of healing, rinsing 3-4 times a day with warm salt water is perfectly adequate.

Yes, an antibiotic can reduce inflammation and severity of infectious bacteria. Both of which would result in less swelling.

You can develop a swelling and tenderness from an inflamed muscle and this often takes several weeks to completely subside. Especially if the muscle is used often as in chewing, speaking.... etc.

Your current symptoms are all positive signs of healing. So unless something changes for the worse and if the area becomes less tender and smaller... it's probably fine.

Yes, I have been on this site for almost a decade.... and only 3 decades in the actual field!! )