An overview of Salivary Gland Disorders

Your salivary glands produce saliva, which keeps your mouth moist, helps protect your teeth from rapid decay, and helps you to digest your food. The salivary glands are relatively small, and they’re around the inner linings of your mouth, lips, and cheeks.

A number of diseases can affect your salivary glands. These range from cancerous tumors to Sjögren’s syndrome. While some conditions go away with time or antibiotics, others require more serious treatments, including surgery.

You have three paired salivary glands called the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands. They are responsible for producing saliva. Blocked salivary glands are the most common source of problems. These blocked glands can cause painful symptoms.

Sialolithiasis and sialadenitis

Sialolithiasis and sialadenitis can occur in the salivary glands:

1. Sialolithiasis occurs when stones made of calcium form in the salivary glands. These stones can block the glands, and that can partially or completely stop the flow of saliva.

2. Sialadenitis (or sialoadenitis) is an infection involving a salivary gland. It often results from stones blocking the gland. Staph or strep bacteria can cause this infection. Older adults and infants are most likely to develop this condition.

Sjögren’s syndrome

Sjögren’s syndrome is another common salivary gland disorder. It occurs when white blood cells target healthy cells in moisture-producing glands, such as the salivary, sweat, and oil glands. This condition most commonly affects women with autoimmune disorders, such as lupus.

Viruses

Viruses can affect the salivary glands as well. These include:

1. flu virus

2. mumps

3. Coxsackie virus

4. echovirus

5. cytomegalovirus

Cancerous and noncancerous tumors

Cancerous and noncancerous tumors may develop in the salivary glands as well. Cancerous tumors of the salivary glands are rare. When they do occur, it’s typically in 50- to 60-year-olds, according to Cedars-Sinai.

Noncancerous tumors that can affect the parotid glands include pleomorphic adenomas and Warthin’s tumors. Benign pleomorphic adenomas can also grow in the submandibular gland and the minor salivary glands, but this is rare.

The symptoms of sialolithiasis include:

1. painful lump under the tongue

2. pain that increases when eating

Sialadenitis symptoms include:

1. lump in your cheek or under your chin

2. pus that drains into your mouth

3. strong or foul-smelling pus

4. fever

Cysts that grow in your salivary glands can cause:

1. yellow mucus that drains when the cyst bursts

2. difficulty eating

3. difficulty speaking

4. difficulty swallowing

Viral infections in the salivary glands, such as mumps, can cause:

1. fever

2. muscle aches

3. joint pain

4. swelling on both sides of the face

5. headache

The symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome include:

1. dry mouth

2. dry eyes

3. tooth decay

4. sores in the mouth

5. joint pain or swelling

6. dry cough

7. unexplained fatigue

8. swollen salivary glands

9. frequent salivary gland infections

If you have diabetes or alcoholism, you may also have swelling in the salivary glands.

If you notice the following symptoms, see your doctor:

1. a bad taste in your mouth

2. dry mouth

3. mouth pain

4. facial swelling

5. trouble opening your mouth

You can lower your risk of viral infections of the salivary glands. To do so, get immunized against mumps and influenza.

There are no specific guidelines to protect against other types of salivary gland disorders. However, it is helpful to:

1. Avoid smoking.

2. Eat a healthy diet.

3. Drink six to eight glasses of water daily to avoid dehydration.

4. Practice good oral hygiene, with regular tooth brushing and flossing.

Your doctor will recommend testing based on your medical history and a physical exam.

Some cases are quite obvious from the history and physical exam alone. In such cases, diagnostic tests may not be necessary.

Your doctor may want to see the blockage to diagnose a salivary gland obstruction. Taking a dental X-ray of the affected area can help to pinpoint the obstruction. A head and neck surgeon can then use anesthesia to numb the salivary gland opening and free any blockage.

If your doctor needs to finely target the salivary glands, an MRI or CT scan can provide more in-depth images.

Also, a biopsy to remove salivary gland tissue can aid in diagnosis, particularly if your doctor suspects you may have an autoimmune disorder that affects your salivary glands.

Treatment for salivary gland disorders depends on the disease type and how advanced it is.

For example, if you have a mass in your salivary gland, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the mass or the gland itself. If the mass is cancerous, you may need radiation treatments to kill off cancerous cells.

These treatments won’t typically start until your body has had time to heal. This is typically four to six weeks after surgery.

Radiation treatments to the neck can cause dry mouth, which can be uncomfortable and affect your digestion. Your doctor may recommend drinking more fluids and avoiding foods high in sodium.

If the salivary gland mass isn’t cancerous, radiation may not be required. A mass that doesn’t cause symptoms may be treated with conservative measures. This includes special mouthwashes to relieve dry mouth.

You can also keep your mouth moist by rinsing with a mixture of 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of water.

Antibiotics can treat bacterial infections.

Taking good care of your teeth is vital to successful salivary gland treatment. Brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day can help prevent salivary gland disorders and tooth decay.

Anyone can develop a salivary gland infection, but they are most commonTrusted Source in older adults.

A reduced flow of saliva can occur in people who:

1. are recovering from surgery

2. are ill

3. have had radiation therapy in the mouth

4. have Sjögren’s disease

5. have dry mouth

6. are dehydrated

7. are malnourished

8. have a weakened immune system

9. are taking certain medications, such as:

1. antihistamines

2. diuretics

3. beta-blockers

4. barbiturates

5. antidepressants, antipsychotics, and other drugs for mental health conditions

10. have an eating disorderTrusted Source, such as bulimia or anorexia

11. have kidney failure

The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) notes that dry mouth can also occur as a result of:

1. breathing through the mouth too often, especially during sleep

2. anxiety

3. oral thrush

4. diabetes

A doctor may recommend:

1. drinking plenty of fluids

2. eating hard candies or drinking lemon juice to increase the flow of saliva

3. applying warm compresses

4. massaging the glands

5. practicing good oral hygiene

A person might also try:

1. avoiding foods that stick to the roof of the mouth

2. eating with small bites and chewing thoroughly

3. avoiding alcoholic or acidic drinks and commercial mouthwashes