Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFunctionCausesRisk FactorsSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Function
Causes
Risk Factors
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Salivary glandsmake saliva and help with digestion. Anyone can develop swollen salivary glands, which could be a sign of a blockage, infection, or something more serious. About one in 100,000 Americans develop swelling as a result of salivary gland cancers.
This article will explore the causes, risk factors, and treatments of salivary gland swelling.
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Salivary Gland Function
Salivary glands make a fluid called saliva that moistens your mouth and helpsbreak down food.Saliva also contains antibodies that help keep your mouth clean and free of infection.
The 5 Types of Antibodies
Types of Glands
The three major pairs of salivary glands in your mouth are:
Salivary Gland DisordersSalivary glands that aren’t working properly can cause problems ranging from cavities to severe swelling and infection. Some common salivary gland disorders are:Obstruction (small stones that prevent the flow of saliva)InfectionTumors
Salivary Gland Disorders
Salivary glands that aren’t working properly can cause problems ranging from cavities to severe swelling and infection. Some common salivary gland disorders are:Obstruction (small stones that prevent the flow of saliva)InfectionTumors
Salivary glands that aren’t working properly can cause problems ranging from cavities to severe swelling and infection. Some common salivary gland disorders are:
The Anatomy of Salivary Glands
Clogged Salivary Duct Causes
Once the duct is clogged, the flow of saliva may slow or stop, which can cause swelling,inflammation, and pain, and lead to infection. Impaired saliva flow can also dry your mouth out, making you more prone to developingcavities.
Some people are at a higher risk of developingsalivary gland blockages. Risk factors include:
Symptoms of an Infection
Symptoms of a salivary gland infection are not limited to pain and swelling.
Signs of a salivary duct infection can also include:
Types of Mouth Infections and How to Treat Them
They may be able to feel swollen or obstructed glands from the outside of your mouth or throat or seepusdraining from the glands on the inside of your mouth.
What Is an Abscess?Anabscessis a collection of pus that can form when you have an infection. Abscesses typically form on the skin and around hair follicles, but they can develop inside your body, too.
What Is an Abscess?
Anabscessis a collection of pus that can form when you have an infection. Abscesses typically form on the skin and around hair follicles, but they can develop inside your body, too.
Your provider may order an imaging test such as aCT (computed tomography) scanor anMRI (magnetic resonance imaging)to determine the specific cause of the swelling. If several glands are swollen at once, your provider may order additional tests to get a sense of your overall health or check for a viral infection.
The severity of the symptoms and cause of the salivary gland infection will dictate the need for treatment.
Self-Care
You may also try over-the-counter (OTC) medications to treat pain and inflammation.
Acetaminophen vs. Ibuprofen
Medication
When a bacterial infection is the source of swelling, your healthcare provider may prescribeantibiotics. They might also want to figure out the root cause of the infection. If a salivary gland obstruction is at fault, the blockage may need to be cleared surgically.
If your salivary gland swelling is related to a systemic (body-wide) condition likeSjögren’s disease(chronic autoimmune disease) or the viral diseasemumps, those conditions will have to be treated as well, to prevent repeated episodes.
Surgery
Removing fluid from the body(aspiration), may relieve salivary gland swelling. During this procedure, a small needle is inserted into the salivary gland or duct to withdraw a buildup of saliva or pus.
When more severe blockages, complications, ortumorsare the problem, you may need to have a more invasive surgery performed or even consider removing your salivary glands.
Summary
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Everything You Need to Know
A Word From Verywell
There are measures you can take at home to help manage swelling and pain, but you should talk to your provider about what is causing your salivary gland problems, and whether they can be more effectively treated and prevented.
Frequently Asked QuestionsAntibiotics can usually begin to clear up symptoms of infection after a few days, but it can depend on the severity of your infection and any complications you might have. If you needed aspiration orsurgeryto clear a blockage in addition to treating your infection, your recovery could take longer.Learn MoreTypes of Mouth Infections and How to Treat ThemA blocked salivary gland can be swollen and painful, but not always. Other symptoms can include trouble opening your mouth or having a funny taste in your mouth.Learn MoreSialolithiasis Symptoms, Diagnosis, and TreatmentsYou can’t prevent all types of salivary infections, but good oral hygiene, drinking enough water, and avoiding smoking can help. Talk to your healthcare provider about prevention strategies if you have chronic dry mouth or other conditions that put you at an increased risk of developing a salivary gland infection.Learn MoreOral Hygiene Tips
Antibiotics can usually begin to clear up symptoms of infection after a few days, but it can depend on the severity of your infection and any complications you might have. If you needed aspiration orsurgeryto clear a blockage in addition to treating your infection, your recovery could take longer.Learn MoreTypes of Mouth Infections and How to Treat Them
Antibiotics can usually begin to clear up symptoms of infection after a few days, but it can depend on the severity of your infection and any complications you might have. If you needed aspiration orsurgeryto clear a blockage in addition to treating your infection, your recovery could take longer.
Learn MoreTypes of Mouth Infections and How to Treat Them
A blocked salivary gland can be swollen and painful, but not always. Other symptoms can include trouble opening your mouth or having a funny taste in your mouth.Learn MoreSialolithiasis Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatments
A blocked salivary gland can be swollen and painful, but not always. Other symptoms can include trouble opening your mouth or having a funny taste in your mouth.
Learn MoreSialolithiasis Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatments
You can’t prevent all types of salivary infections, but good oral hygiene, drinking enough water, and avoiding smoking can help. Talk to your healthcare provider about prevention strategies if you have chronic dry mouth or other conditions that put you at an increased risk of developing a salivary gland infection.Learn MoreOral Hygiene Tips
You can’t prevent all types of salivary infections, but good oral hygiene, drinking enough water, and avoiding smoking can help. Talk to your healthcare provider about prevention strategies if you have chronic dry mouth or other conditions that put you at an increased risk of developing a salivary gland infection.
Learn MoreOral Hygiene Tips
7 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.American Cancer Society.Key statistics about salivary gland cancer.American Cancer Society.What is salivary gland cancer?MedlinePlus.Salivary gland infections.National Institutes of Health.Saliva & salivary gland disorders.Cedars-Sinai.Parotid duct obstruction.Ardekian L, et al.The use of sialendoscopy for the treatment of multiple salivary gland stones.Jour Oral Maxillof Surg.January 2014; 72(1):89-95. doi:10.1016/j.joms.2013.06.206.American Cancer Society.Surgery for salivary gland cancer.
7 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.American Cancer Society.Key statistics about salivary gland cancer.American Cancer Society.What is salivary gland cancer?MedlinePlus.Salivary gland infections.National Institutes of Health.Saliva & salivary gland disorders.Cedars-Sinai.Parotid duct obstruction.Ardekian L, et al.The use of sialendoscopy for the treatment of multiple salivary gland stones.Jour Oral Maxillof Surg.January 2014; 72(1):89-95. doi:10.1016/j.joms.2013.06.206.American Cancer Society.Surgery for salivary gland cancer.
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.
American Cancer Society.Key statistics about salivary gland cancer.American Cancer Society.What is salivary gland cancer?MedlinePlus.Salivary gland infections.National Institutes of Health.Saliva & salivary gland disorders.Cedars-Sinai.Parotid duct obstruction.Ardekian L, et al.The use of sialendoscopy for the treatment of multiple salivary gland stones.Jour Oral Maxillof Surg.January 2014; 72(1):89-95. doi:10.1016/j.joms.2013.06.206.American Cancer Society.Surgery for salivary gland cancer.
American Cancer Society.Key statistics about salivary gland cancer.
American Cancer Society.What is salivary gland cancer?
MedlinePlus.Salivary gland infections.
National Institutes of Health.Saliva & salivary gland disorders.
Cedars-Sinai.Parotid duct obstruction.
Ardekian L, et al.The use of sialendoscopy for the treatment of multiple salivary gland stones.Jour Oral Maxillof Surg.January 2014; 72(1):89-95. doi:10.1016/j.joms.2013.06.206.
American Cancer Society.Surgery for salivary gland cancer.
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