Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAssociated PainCan It Be Unblocked?When to Call a ProviderTreatmentTips to Avoid ItRecurrent Blockages
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Associated Pain
Can It Be Unblocked?
When to Call a Provider
Treatment
Tips to Avoid It
Recurrent Blockages
Your salivary glands produce saliva and empty it into your mouth through slots called ducts. When these ducts become blocked, they can’t produce enough saliva to moisten your food for proper eating. Without enough saliva to protect your mouth from germs, you also have a higher risk of infections and tooth damage.
Symptoms of a blocked or damaged salivary duct can cause it to become inflamed and swollen. These symptoms are likely to occur on one side of your face or on the floor or roof of your mouth, where these ducts are found. While most blocked ducts resolve with home treatment, severe problems may need more complex treatments.
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Blocked Salivary Duct Pain
Your salivary glands produce saliva and empty it into your mouth through ducts that open at places throughout your mouth. Blocked salivary duct pain occurs when a blockage partially or completely stops saliva flow in a duct. Two of the most common causes of blocked salivary duct pain are:
Sialolithiasisis a condition in which tiny,benign(noncancerous) salivary stones form in your salivary glands. The stones, called sialoliths, are mostly made of calcium and other minerals. When the stone remains in the duct, an infection can develop.
Sialadenitisis aninfection of a salivary gland. Common causes includeStaphylococcus aureus,Streptococcus,Haemophilus influenzae, andanaerobicbacteria. Sialadenitis is common in elderly people who have salivary gland stones. It can also occur in infants during the first few weeks of life. Without treatment, sialadenitis can become a severe infection.
Parts of Mouth
There are hundreds of small salivary glands, called minor salivary glands, in your mouth. You also have three main salivary glands. These salivary glands are:
Parotid glandsare the two largest salivary glands. They are found on each cheek, over your jaw, and in front of your ears.Parotitis, or parotiditis, isinflammationthat affects one or more of these glands. About 19% of salivary stones form in the parotid glands.
Submandibular glandsare located just under both sides of your jaw. They carry saliva up to the floor of your mouth under your tongue. About 80% of salivary stones occur in the submandibular glands.
Sublinual glandsare two glands located just under the front area of the floor of your mouth next to your jaw on each side. Only about 1% of salivary stones form in these glands.
Not Having Symptoms
Most people who have a blocked salivary duct experience symptoms of pain and swelling during mealtime. However, you can have a blocked salivary duct without any symptoms. Symptoms may occur as the condition worsens. Keeping a schedule of regular dental visits can ensure that your dentist can check for conditions line an asymptomatic blocked salivary gland that you may not know exists.
Symptom and Pain Onset
A blocked salivary duct can cause your salivary glands to become swollen and irritated. The most severe symptoms typically occur when you’re eating since that stimulates the flow of saliva. However, if the salivary duct is blocked, it cannot provide the saliva you need to chew and swallow comfortably.
Symptoms of salivary gland problems include:
Can You Unblock Salivary Ducts at Home?
Most salivary duct stones free themselves and exit the duct into your mouth within a few weeks. The following strategies may help the salivary stone pass through the duct if the stone is small or only causing a partial blockage:
While you wait for the stone to pass, take pain medications as directed to manage the pain. If your healthcare provider prescribedantibioticsfor an infection, take your full course of medication even if you feel better to ensure you eradicate the germs.
Never use a sharp object to try to remove a salivary gland stone at home. You can risk serious injury and infection. Contact your healthcare provider for next steps if the salivary duct stone does not clear after a few weeks.
When to Make a Provider Appointment
While many blocked salivary glands may clear themselves at home, you should contact your healthcare provider or seek immediate medical care if you have a blocked salivary duct and the following symptoms:
You should also contact your healthcare provider if your blocked salivary gland does not improve within a few weeks of conservative home treatment.
How to Stop Tooth Pain Fast
Treatment and Surgical Instructions
If home treatment does not help the stone to flush out of the duct, a healthcare provider will evaluate the source of your blocked salivary duct. A diagnosis of your condition will be based on your medical history, a physical examination, and laboratory tests. One or more of the following imaging tests may be used based on your symptoms:
Based on your diagnosis, your healthcare provider may advise one of the following treatments:
Sialendoscopyis a noninvasive procedure is the primary treatment for small and medium salivary gland stones. It is performed in the operating room withgeneral anesthesia. A clamp is used to hold open the duct before a smallendoscope(a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera attached) is placed into your salivary duct to get a clear view of the stone.
During the procedure, your healthcare provider may be able to use an endoscope and laser to break up and remove the stone.
Sialolithotomytreats large salivary duct stones or multiple stones. This surgery is used to cut out the stone while preserving the function of the affected salivary gland. It is performed in the operating room under general anesthesia.
Salivary gland removalremoves all or part of the affected salivary gland. It is performed to remove salivary glandtumors. The type of surgery you have depends on the salivary gland affected. You will still be able to make saliva with the remaining saliva glands after one is removed.
Preparing for Salivary Gland Surgery
Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on the best way to prepare for salivary gland surgery. General instructions usually involve:
After Salivary Gland Surgery
Depending on the type of salivary duct surgery performed, you may leave the hospital the same day or stay overnight. Your surgeon will advise when you can safely resume normal activities. Attend all follow-up appointments for the best results. Look for signs of complications that can occur after salivary gland surgery.
Potential complications for parotid gland surgery include:
Potential complications for submandibular gland surgery include:
Risks for sublingual gland surgery include but are not limited to:
Dental Hygiene Suggestions
Having Recurrent Blockages
A Word From VerywellA blocked salivary duct can be painful; thankfully, this is usually an easily treatable and managed condition with the right oral healthcare providers.—EDMUND KHOO, DDS, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
A blocked salivary duct can be painful; thankfully, this is usually an easily treatable and managed condition with the right oral healthcare providers.—EDMUND KHOO, DDS, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A blocked salivary duct can be painful; thankfully, this is usually an easily treatable and managed condition with the right oral healthcare providers.
—EDMUND KHOO, DDS, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Summary
A blocked salivary duct can occur as a result of several conditions. The most common reasons involve the formation of salivary duct stones that block the flow of saliva in and out of the ducts. When this occurs, the involved duct can become painful and swollen. The lack of proper saliva flow leaves your mouth dry, making it harder to eat and maintain proper dental hygiene.
While many salivary duct stones can pass without treatment, symptoms of swelling and painful eating persist until the stone is removed. Infections require treatment with antibiotics to kill the bacteria. Salivary duct stones that do not improve may need surgical removal. In extreme cases, removal of the involved salivary duct is needed.
If you have a bump inside your mouth or cheek or notice a swollen gland, try drinking more water or sucking on a sour candy to increase saliva flow. Some stones may move through the duct with massaging. Contact your healthcare provider if you notice signs of infection or if the stone remains after a few weeks.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Saliva and salivary gland disorders.Cedars Sinai.Salivary gland disease and tumors.Pachisia S, Mandal G, Sahu S, Ghosh S.Submandibular sialolithiasis: A series of three case reports with review of literature.Clin Pract. 2019;9(1):1119. Published 2019 Mar 20. doi:10.4081/cp.2019.1119Mount Sinai.Salivary gland tumors.Kraaij S, Karagozoglu KH, Forouzanfar T, Veerman EC, Brand HS.Salivary stones: symptoms, aetiology, biochemical composition and treatment.Br Dent J. 2014;217(11):E23. doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2014.1054Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials.When that pan in your mouth is a salivary stone.Kaiser Permanente.Salivary gland stone: care instructions.NHS.Salivary gland stones.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Salivary duct stones.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.About your salivary gland surgery.University of Illinois Health.Salivary gland surgery.Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).Oral health for people with dry mouth.Saint Luke’s.Understanding parotid duct obstruction.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Saliva and salivary gland disorders.Cedars Sinai.Salivary gland disease and tumors.Pachisia S, Mandal G, Sahu S, Ghosh S.Submandibular sialolithiasis: A series of three case reports with review of literature.Clin Pract. 2019;9(1):1119. Published 2019 Mar 20. doi:10.4081/cp.2019.1119Mount Sinai.Salivary gland tumors.Kraaij S, Karagozoglu KH, Forouzanfar T, Veerman EC, Brand HS.Salivary stones: symptoms, aetiology, biochemical composition and treatment.Br Dent J. 2014;217(11):E23. doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2014.1054Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials.When that pan in your mouth is a salivary stone.Kaiser Permanente.Salivary gland stone: care instructions.NHS.Salivary gland stones.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Salivary duct stones.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.About your salivary gland surgery.University of Illinois Health.Salivary gland surgery.Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).Oral health for people with dry mouth.Saint Luke’s.Understanding parotid duct obstruction.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Saliva and salivary gland disorders.Cedars Sinai.Salivary gland disease and tumors.Pachisia S, Mandal G, Sahu S, Ghosh S.Submandibular sialolithiasis: A series of three case reports with review of literature.Clin Pract. 2019;9(1):1119. Published 2019 Mar 20. doi:10.4081/cp.2019.1119Mount Sinai.Salivary gland tumors.Kraaij S, Karagozoglu KH, Forouzanfar T, Veerman EC, Brand HS.Salivary stones: symptoms, aetiology, biochemical composition and treatment.Br Dent J. 2014;217(11):E23. doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2014.1054Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials.When that pan in your mouth is a salivary stone.Kaiser Permanente.Salivary gland stone: care instructions.NHS.Salivary gland stones.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Salivary duct stones.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.About your salivary gland surgery.University of Illinois Health.Salivary gland surgery.Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).Oral health for people with dry mouth.Saint Luke’s.Understanding parotid duct obstruction.
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Saliva and salivary gland disorders.
Cedars Sinai.Salivary gland disease and tumors.
Pachisia S, Mandal G, Sahu S, Ghosh S.Submandibular sialolithiasis: A series of three case reports with review of literature.Clin Pract. 2019;9(1):1119. Published 2019 Mar 20. doi:10.4081/cp.2019.1119
Mount Sinai.Salivary gland tumors.
Kraaij S, Karagozoglu KH, Forouzanfar T, Veerman EC, Brand HS.Salivary stones: symptoms, aetiology, biochemical composition and treatment.Br Dent J. 2014;217(11):E23. doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2014.1054
Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials.When that pan in your mouth is a salivary stone.
Kaiser Permanente.Salivary gland stone: care instructions.
NHS.Salivary gland stones.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Salivary duct stones.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.About your salivary gland surgery.
University of Illinois Health.Salivary gland surgery.
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).Oral health for people with dry mouth.
Saint Luke’s.Understanding parotid duct obstruction.
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