Can your salivary glands swell

People of all ages, including newborn babies, can develop salivary gland infections. They are especially common in older adults and people with chronic illnesses. There are three pairs of major salivary glands, with one of each pair located on either side of the face.

Any of these six glands can develop an infection. The major salivary glands are the:. The parotid and submandibular glands tend to become infected most often. Most salivary gland infections are acute or develop suddenly.

Infections related to obstructions or narrowed tubes may develop over time. Most of the symptoms of salivary gland infections only last around a week, though some minor swelling may linger for a few weeks.

The specific symptoms of a salivary gland infection may differ between people and will depend on their location and severity. People with tumors that cause obstructions may develop a hard, firm, immobile lump in the affected area. People with bacterial infections will usually need to take antibiotics. There are no specific antiviral medications, but there are medications that can help reduce or manage symptoms of herpes, influenza, and HIV.

When blockages, such as stones or tumors, cause salivary gland infections, a doctor may recommend surgery to resolve the problem. People may also need surgery to repair or remove kinks or narrowed tubes that affect the flow of saliva. People with salivary gland infections triggered by underlying medical conditions will require additional specialized treatment.

If a person has an infection caused by a large abscess, a doctor may need to open and drain the abscess. For people taking medications linked to salivary gland infections, a doctor may need to switch their medication or change the dosage. Aside from medications, there is a variety of home remedies that may help the body clear salivary gland infections. Most noncancerous tumors are moveable.

An injury to the lower lip—for instance, from accidental biting—may harm any of the minor salivary glands found there and block the flow of saliva. As a result, an affected gland may swell and form a small, soft lump mucocele that appears bluish. The lump usually disappears by itself within a few weeks to months. Many older people have a dry mouth. Although aging itself affects moisture in the mouth only slightly, it does make people more susceptible to conditions that dry the mouth, and older people are more likely to take drugs that may dry the mouth.

For many people, a dry mouth is only an occasional annoyance. For others, it is a persistent problem that interferes with tasting, chewing, swallowing, speaking, and wearing dentures. Persistent dry mouth increases the risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease. Persistent dry mouth is usually a symptom of a disorder or a side effect of a drug. There are no good tests to measure saliva production. However, the salivary glands can be squeezed milked , and the ducts can be observed for saliva flow.

Swelling due to blockage of a salivary duct is diagnosed because of the relationship of pain to eating or drinking something that stimulates saliva flow.

To diagnose other causes of swelling, a dentist or doctor may do a biopsy to obtain a sample of salivary gland tissue and examine it under a microscope. Other causes of blockage may be identified by newer techniques that use very small viewing tubes endoscopes that can be inserted into the salivary gland ducts.

If doctors are not able to make the diagnosis during the physical examination, they may do certain imaging studies, such as computed tomography CT , ultrasonography, and sialography. Sialography is a type of x-ray that is taken after a dye that is visible on x-rays has been injected into the salivary glands and ducts.

If infection is suspected, doctors look for inflammation on imaging tests, such as a computed tomography CT scan, ultrasonography, or magnetic resonance imaging MRI. If the doctor can squeeze pus from the duct of the affected gland, it is cultured sent to the laboratory to try to grow bacteria. Some dentists have people wear plastic tooth covers filled with fluoride gel at night to prevent tooth decay due to dry mouth. Sometimes, drugs that increase saliva production, such as cevimeline or pilocarpine , help relieve symptoms.

Such drugs may not help when the salivary glands have been damaged by radiation. For salivary gland stones, people can take pain relievers analgesics , drink extra fluids, massage the glands, apply warm compresses, and trigger saliva flow with lemon juice or wedges, sour candy, or a combination.

If the stone does not pass on its own, a dentist can sometimes push the stone out by pressing on both sides of the duct.

As a last resort, the stone can be removed surgically or through an endoscope. For salivary gland infection, doctors give antibiotics and have people massage the glands and apply warm compresses. A salivary abscess needs to be cut open and drained. Staying hydrated, triggering saliva with lemon juice and hard candies, and having good oral hygiene are also important. Salivary gland swelling treatment varies with the cause. A mucocele that does not disappear on its own can be removed surgically if it becomes bothersome.

Similarly, both noncancerous and cancerous salivary gland tumors can usually be removed surgically. Merck and Co. From developing new therapies that treat and prevent disease to helping people in need, we are committed to improving health and well-being around the world. The Manual was first published in as a service to the community. Learn more about our commitment to Global Medical Knowledge.

This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Common Health Topics. Salivary gland malfunction. Salivary gland stones. Salivary gland infection. Saliva also keeps the mouth clean and healthy because it contains antibodies that kill germs.

Obstruction: Small stones that form in the gland ducts may obstruct the flow of saliva. The gland may swell and become painful and infected. Small constrictions or twists in the duct system of the large salivary glands can also decrease salivary flow. Infection: When saliva pools behind an obstruction in a duct, the gland can become infected.

Infection of the lymph nodes from a sore throat or cold can also cause a secondary infection in the salivary glands. Tumors: Tumors usually appear as painless enlargements in one of the salivary glands.

Malignant cancerous tumors often grow quickly, may or may not be painful, and may cause loss of movement in the affected side of the face. Diabetes may also cause enlargement of the salivary glands. Alcoholics may have salivary gland swelling, usually on both sides.

Brochure for patients covering the causes of dry mouth and the importance of saliva to oral health. Problems with salivary glands can cause them to become irritated and swollen. You may have symptoms such as:. A doctor uses your medical history, a physical examination, and laboratory tests to make a diagnosis of a salivary disorder. If your doctor suspects your pain and inflammation are the result of an obstruction in one of the glands, he or she may order X-rays or ultrasound to identify where the obstruction is and what might be causing it.