Managing Your Salivary
Stone: Causes, Symptoms,
and Treatment
B L O G | S U N R I S E D E N T I S T R Y
https://sunrise-dentistry.com/
Not all conditions that affect the oral
cavity can be linked with a specific
disease. For example, the exact cause of
a salivary stone is not known, only the
risk factors. Let’s discuss the onset of a
salivary gland stone further and how a
holistic treatment from dental
professionals can help treat this
condition.
What Is a Salivary Gland Stone and
How Does It Form?
We have three major types of salivary
glands in the mouth. Parotid glands are
located on both sides of the face.
Sublingual glands are positioned
beneath the tongue, while
submandibular glands are under the
jaw. All of these glands help in the
production of saliva to ensure proper
food digestion.
Saliva is drained through ducts. Any
of these ducts can be blocked by
calcified stones. The exact cause of
stone formation remains unclear. It is
thought that when the chemicals in
the saliva, most of them calcium salts,
mix with cell debris and mucus in the
mouth, it will form a deposit that may
accumulate in the gland or ducts.
This condition is common among
people between 50 and 80 years old. It
mostly affects the submandibular
glands in approximately 80% of cases,
and it occurs as a single, large, salivary
stone. It is also more common in men
than in women.
What Are the Risks Factors for a
Blocked Salivary Duct?
As mentioned above, what causes
salivary stones remains unknown.
Aside from gender and age, factors
that decrease saliva production or
thickened saliva may also contribute
to the development of a salivary gland
stone.
Dehydration
Poor eating
Medications like antihistamines,
anti-hypertensive, and
psychiatric and bladder control
drugs
Trauma to the salivary glands
These include:
Salivary Stones Symptoms
Patients do not often experience any
symptom as the stones are forming,
but as soon as they reach a size that
blocks a duct, the saliva will be
pushed back into the gland, causing
pain and inflammation. Pain is o