Salivary Gland Disorders

Your salivary glands (parotid, submandibular, sublingual, and numerous small glands) produce saliva that helps with chewing, digestion, oral hygiene, and swallowing. When these glands or their drainage ducts are affected by stones, inflammation, infection, or other disorders, patients may experience pain, swelling, discomfort, or changes in saliva flow.

Salivary gland disorders cover a variety of conditions from blocked ducts to infections and tumours, and a correct diagnosis is key to appropriate treatment.

Common Symptoms

Depending on the gland affected and the underlying problem, symptoms may include:

Pain, swelling or a lump under the jaw, cheek, or near the ear — often worsening when eating or anticipating a meal
Dry mouth or reduced saliva flow, with associated sticky mouth or bad taste
Difficulty opening the mouth, chewing or swallowing when glands are swollen or blocked
Recurrent infections with fever, facial pain, or pus drainage in cases of infected glands (sialadenitis)
Recurring episodes of swelling or discomfort or intermittent gland enlargement, sometimes resolving and returning (especially in duct blockages or stones)

Causes & Types of Salivary Gland Disorders

1. Stone Formation (Sialolithiasis / Salivary Duct Stones)

Crystallized deposits may form within the gland duct, obstructing saliva flow. Small stones may sometimes pass spontaneously; larger stones may stay stuck and block drainage.
Reduced saliva flow — due to dehydration, certain medications, or systemic conditions — increases the risk of stone formation.

2. Infections / Inflammation (Sialadenitis)

Blocked ducts or stones can lead to bacterial infection in the gland. This often causes painful swelling, pus drainage, fever or general malaise.
Viral infections or reduced saliva flow (e.g. due to dehydration) may also lead to gland inflammation.

3. Autoimmune or Systemic Conditions

Certain autoimmune disorders can affect salivary glands, leading to chronic dryness, reduced saliva production or recurring gland swelling and discomfort.

4. Tumours and Other Masses

Abnormal growths within the salivary glands — benign or malignant — may present as persistent lumps, sometimes painless and slowly growing. Such lumps require further evaluation including imaging and biopsy.

Diagnosis

To identify the underlying cause of salivary gland symptoms, we perform a systematic evaluation:

Review of medical history, symptoms, and risk factors (fluid intake, medications, smoking, autoimmune disease, past infections)
Physical examination including palpation of salivary glands and inspection of the mouth and duct openings
Imaging studies such as ultrasound or CT scan to visualise stones, duct obstruction, cysts, or masses
Needle biopsy if a tumour or suspicious mass is detected, to determine whether it is benign or malignant
Salivary flow / function assessment in cases of suspected dry-mouth related gland disorders or autoimmune conditions

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include one or more of the following:

Antibiotics when a bacterial infection is present, along with hydration, warm compresses and gland massage.
Hydration and salivary flow support for viral or non-bacterial inflammation, combined with good oral hygiene.

Symptom management: increasing fluid intake, saliva substitutes, salivary stimulants, regular dental care to prevent complications from dry mouth.

When imaging or biopsy indicates a tumour, surgical excision may be recommended. The type of surgery depends on the gland involved and the nature of the mass.
Post-surgical follow-up and monitoring to check for recurrence or gland function

What to Expect During Treatment

Many patients respond well to conservative measures or minimally invasive procedures and may avoid full gland removal
Recovery times vary: small stone removal or conservative care may resolve symptoms in days to weeks, while surgery or tumour removal may require longer healing and follow-up
Regular follow-up appointments to monitor gland healing, function and to prevent recurrence
Lifestyle advice: adequate hydration, avoiding medications that reduce saliva production (where possible), maintaining good oral hygiene, and managing risk factors such as smoking or dehydration

When to Seek Quick Medical Review

Please see an ENT specialist promptly if you experience:

Severe or persistent swelling of a salivary gland, especially with pain or fever
Repeated episodes of gland swelling after meals or during saliva stimulation
A firm or growing lump in the gland region that does not resolve
Improvement not seen with conservative measures, or symptoms recurring frequently
Difficulty swallowing, opening the mouth, or breathing due to gland enlargement

Frequently Asked Questions

1. If I have swelling under the jaw after eating, is it a stone?

It could be. Pain or swelling of a salivary gland that worsens during or after meals often suggests a duct obstruction such as a stone. Other causes like infection or gland inflammation are also possible — a proper assessment is needed.

2. Is surgery always required to treat salivary gland stones?

No. Small stones may pass spontaneously with conservative treatment (hydration, massage, warm compresses). Surgery or minimally invasive removal is considered when stones are large, symptoms persist, or recurrence occurs.

3. Can infections of salivary glands be serious?

Yes. If a gland becomes infected (sialadenitis), the infection can worsen, cause abscess formation, or spread to surrounding tissues. Prompt treatment with antibiotics and sometimes surgical drainage is important.

4. Are there lifestyle steps I can take to reduce risk of salivary gland problems?

Yes. Staying well-hydrated, avoiding smoking or excessive alcohol, maintaining good oral hygiene, stimulating saliva (e.g. sour foods or sugar-free candies), and regular dental check-ups help reduce risk of stones, duct blockages or infections.

Next Steps

If you notice persistent swelling, pain, or changes in saliva flow, please book a consultation. During evaluation, we will review your symptoms, perform clinical examination, imaging or gland assessment if indicated, and propose a tailored treatment plan to restore gland health and relieve symptoms.