Managing Your Salivary Stone: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

A salivary gland stone mostly occurs in the submandibular glands. It is made mostly of calcium. Due to its large size and having slowed salivary flow, it may cause pain and swelling.

Read on to know more about its risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options.

https://sunrise-dentistry.com/blog/managing-your-salivary-stone-causes-symptoms-and-treatment/

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Stone Salivary Stone gland Salivary gland Stone saliva Duct

https://sunrise-dentistry.com/blog/managing-your-salivary-stone-causes-symptoms-and-treatment/

About ADMS

Advanced Digital Media

Stone Salivary Stone gland Salivary gland Stone saliva Duct

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 often
exacerbated by eating.
If the gland becomes infected, the
pain will get worse and fever may
ensue.
 
How Do You Diagnose a Salivary
Stone?
To confirm the diagnosis of a salivary
gland stone, a complete physical
examination should be done. One can
easily palpate a stone. If the
professional suspects a swollen mass, a
CT scan may be necessary to rule out
other causes, such as dental abscesses,
swollen lymph glands, lymphoma,
sarcoidosis, or tumors.
In rare cases though, an X-ray may be
requested. A dye will be injected into the
duct for easy viewing.
Blood tests will also help confirm the
results of the imaging studies.
How Does One Treat a Salivary
Gland Stone?
Salivary stones often get noticed
when there is a bump or discoloration
on the floor of the mouth. They are
accompanied by discomfort, pain,
and swelling because the saliva is
pooling and creating pressure.
Treatment will depend on the
number, size, shape, consistency, and
location of the salivary stone.
Smaller stones can be treated with
home remedies like over-the-counter
anti-inflammatory drugs or
painkillers, warm compresses, and
rehydration. Antibiotics are only
prescribed if with infection.
Experts also recommend lemons
because they promote saliva flow.
Another easy salivary stone removal
technique is massage. This works well
in dislodging small stones.
Larger stones, however, will require
dental professional services. An
endoscopic procedure known as
sialendoscopy will be performed to
remove salivary gland stones. This
was developed and first used in
Europe. It uses a tiny lighted scope,
inserted into the gland. It will give a
good view of the duct system. Using
micro instruments, the stone can be
removed to relieve the blockage. 
This is an outpatient procedure and
done under local anesthesia only.
If the stone caused irreversible
damage or is recurrent, surgical
removal of the gland may be
necessary.
Preventive Measures
Decreasing the number of bacteria that
accumulates in the mouth is an
excellent defense against salivary
stones.
Brush your teeth at least twice daily,
followed by flossing. The use of quality
dental home products like fluoride
toothpaste and mouth rinses with
Chlorhexidine may be helpful. This
unique formula fights cavities and
tartar buildup.
For more information on salivary
stones and how the services of holistic
dentistry in Durango, CO can help
prevent them, contact our office
today. Our friendly staff will be happy
to help.
dale@durangolive.net
EMAIL ADDRESS
(970) 247-3303
PHONE NUMBER
https://sunrise-dentistry.com/
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