You Should Always Treat Salivary Gland Infections

According to MedicalNewsToday, salivary gland infections should be treated immediately. In some cases, patients may need surgery to treat narrowed tubes that affect the flow of saliva or to remove tumors or stones.

What Causes Salivary Gland Infections?

Also known as sialadenitis, salivary gland infections can take weeks, in some cases, to resolve. This infection can affect one or more glands, with the condition affecting the glands under the jaw or in the cheeks. Always make sure to contact us to ensure the symptoms do not become worse. An infection of the salivary gland can be caused by bacteria or a virus. For example, the flu or mumps are two of the most common viral infections that trigger this type of inflammation. If a salivary stone develops, it often forms because of a stressed immune system, lack of hydration, or poor oral hygiene. A dry mouth is a common warning sign that the salivary glands are infected. Moreover, dry mouth can be a contributing risk factor for an infection as well as the result of this type of infection. When the glands swell because of a bacterial infection, you may notice that one side is more swollen. Usually, you will feel a hard lump that is tender, and the site may appear reddish in hue. This happens because the blood rushes to the area to fight off the infection.

Treating a Salivary Gland Infection or Salivary Gland Obstructions

One of the most common salivary gland obstructions, which relates to infection, is sialolithiasis or salivary stones. Patients who have an obstructive salivary gland disorder, such as sialolithiasis, frequently contact us about this issue. Warning signs include pain and swelling of the glands as well as a foul taste in the mouth. This happens when a duct tightens or is blocked. When an infection worsens because of a narrow duct or a stone, oral surgery is the best remedy. Open surgery is therefore frequently performed on submandibular glands. However, because complications may result from open surgery, we also provide sialendoscopy or salivary endoscopy as treatment modalities.

Would you like to learn more about treating a salivary gland infection with open surgery or a less invasive procedure? If so, give us a call to set up an appointment and discuss your options today.