What Happens When Salivary Glands Are Blocked
A Guide to Sialolithiasis
If individuals begin suffering from dry mouth, the culprit may not just be dehydration. According to the Journal of Medical Research , blocked salivary glands are the most common problem saliva glands can experience. This occurs when the gland in the floor of the mouth (submandibular gland) and the glands on the side of the face become blocked, usually by a stone. The initial symptoms include swelling in the area of the gland as the stone impedes saliva, pain from inflammation, and dry mouth, which creates an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. The medical term for blocked salivary glands is sialolithiasis.
The initial cause of blocked salivary glands is currently unknown, but there are a few possibilities associated with it. A buildup of bacteria in the duct can start the process of calcification and form these stones. Due to a plug of mucous, the gland’s duct can become calcified, allowing organic and inorganic materials to accumulate and create the offending stone. Gout and liver disease have also been associated with the formation of these stones. Other potential attributions can include changes in water intake, calcium metabolism, and the mouth’s pH levels.
If individuals believe they are suffering from a blocked salivary gland, their first response should be to contact their dentist and schedule an examination appointment. Dentists can determine if the problem is a stone by the location of the swelling. These stones are visible on an X-ray due to their calcium content though a fiber-optic scope that is passed into the duct to examine them more closely.
Depending on the size of the stone and degree of swelling, treatment for a blocked salivary gland can vary. A smaller stone can be treated with nonsurgical therapy—until then, increasing water intake and massaging the area can help. If possible, limiting back-and-forth motions while brushing is preferable because anything else only aggravates the area more. These smaller stones eventually break up or pass.
A larger stone can be more burdensome, and it may require minor surgery to open up the duct to remove the stone and drain the swelling. With extra-large stones, however, the gland itself may need to be completely removed.
It is important to keep in mind that when dealing with a blocked salivary gland, keeping the mouth clean is key to improving overall oral health. The best course of action is to contact a local dentist to seek his or her professional opinion on the matter.
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