Blocked Salivary Glands
Salivary glands are present inside, the mouth as well as around the throat. These glands can be of two types, which are the major salivary glands and the minor salivary glands. These salivary glands are located below and in front of the ear and in the other parts of the mouth. Their main function is to secrete saliva through the tubes in and around the mouth. Around 80% to 90% of the saliva is produced by the major salivary glands, while around 10% or so, is produced by the minor salivary glands. The proper production of saliva in the mouth is absolutely essential, for a person to be able to eat and swallow the food properly.
What are blocked salivary glands Symptoms?
A blocked salivary gland, also known as a clogged salivary gland refers to those glands in the mouth, that are not producing the saliva properly. A blocked saliva gland is usually accompanied by a dry mouth and other uncomfortable symptoms. Therefore, a person who is suffering from this problem could experience some amount of pain in the mouth or even in other parts of the face, when the salivary glands get blocked. Therefore, it is best to get this condition checked by the doctor at the earliest, to that the appropriate blocked salivary gland treatment can be started as soon as possible. Moreover, even though a dry mouth, accompanied by a blocked salivary gland on roof of mouth or under the tongue may sound like harmless conditions, but in reality could be the symptoms of serious diseases and health complications. Therefore, as soon as any of the blocked salivary gland symptoms become evident, it is necessary to visit a doctor.
Causes of a blocked salivary gland
There are several factors and reasons that have been associated with a blocked salivary gland duct, including some serious illnesses and diseases. Given below are some of the most common causes of a blocked salivary gland:
- One of the illnesses that could lead to a blocked salivary gland on the lip or within the mouth is HIV/ AIDS.
- A blocked salivary gland stone could also be the result of constant exposure to the sun, accompanied by the lack of adequate water. This usually leads to dehydration and dryness in the mouth.
- The use of certain medicines, especially antidepressant drugs have been known to decrease the production of saliva in the mouth, mainly because of a blocked salivary gland under tongue or other parts of the mouth.
- Chronic body pain and depression have also been known to lead to a blocked salivary gland stone.
- People who have undergone recent throat or oral surgery are also more prone to suffer from mouth dryness as well as blocked salivary gland pain.
Blocked salivary duct treatment
A salivary gland usually occurs along with the presence of a salivary duct stone. These stones are nothing but minerals that have crystallized within the salivary glands, thereby blocking them. Therefore, getting rid of this stone by removing it is usually the first step in blocked salivary gland cure. The removal of the salivary duct stone is generally done by an experienced doctor, simply by pressing the salivary glands down. However, there may be some cases, where the salivary gland stone does not come out, by pressing down on the saliva glands. In such cases, a blocked salivary gland surgery may be recommended by the doctor. However, surgical procedures are usually the last options that are only used of there are no other means of getting rid of the stone that is causing the blockage.
Treatment for blocked salivary gland could also include techniques to break down the stones present within the ducts. Ultrasound waves are usually used to break the stones into tiny fragments. These broken fragments are usually passed through the ducts, without any difficulty. This method is not painful at all and is usually conducted within a short span of time. A medical health care provider may also decide to use an endoscope in the treatment for blocked salivary gland. An endoscope is a tubular device, which has a small camera attached to one of its ends. The tube is pushed within the duct, so that the stone can be seen. At times, a tiny pair of grabbers are also attached to the endoscope, which can pull the stone out.
Home remedies for blocked saliva glands
There are some doctors who may also advise patients to use a blocked salivary gland home remedy to get rid of the stone and increase the production of saliva in the mouth. This is done by placing a warm compress just behind the ear and below the mandible. By gradually increasing the flow of saliva in the mouth, the stone can be dislodged and then removed. However, people who are suffering form clogged salivary glands may not be able to produce saliva in the mouth easily. Therefore, stimulating saliva in the mouth with the help of a sour or citric piece of candy and increasing the consumption of fluids, especially water, each day are also an important part of clogged salivary gland treatment. After trying the various home remedies for blocked salivary glands, the doctor may probe the duct within the mouth gently, with a blunt instrument, to see if the stone falls out. It is absolutely essential for people to realize that this can only be done by a medical health care provider and should never be practiced at home.
While there are many ways to treat and cure blocked salivary glands, it is best to take the necessary preventative steps to keep this condition from occurring. Hence, in addition to maintaining proper oral hygiene it is high recommended that people go for regular dental checkups, at least once in 6 months. Since people who are above the age of 40 are more prone to blocked salivary glands, this is more important for such people. Drinking a high amount of water each day and using various exercises to stimulate the flow of saliva in the mouth can also help avoid this problem.
A blocked salivary gland can be caused by a number of diseases like Sjogren’s syndrome, mumps, and sialolithiasis. Sjogren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that will also result in a lack of tears production from the tear glands. The problem’s root lies in the killer T-cells of the immune system destroying the salivary glands. Mumps is a common disease that children get but is largely eliminated in the western world with vaccination. However, the problem can also occur later in life if you were never immunized. This disease is a viral infection of the salivary glands and there is no cure for this disease either, as is the case with nearly all viral infections and the disease would just have to run its course. The last possibility is a painful one as well called sialolithiasis. Human saliva contains a lot of calcium and is responsible for re-mineralizing the teeth but when there is too much calcium in the blood, this can result in stones of calcium forming in the salivary glands effectively blocking them off. The stones can be removed or dissolved just like kidney stones. Sjogren’s syndrome is the only one that is really problematic out of the three possibilities because the presence of this autoimmune disorder will also possibly indicate that you are candidate for rheumatoid arthritis as well.
Treatment To Unblock Salivary Gland
Human saliva is used for the digestion of starch and fats before swallowing begins, with the re-mineralization of teeth, and lubrication and disinfection of the mouth. Stones in the ducts of the salivary gland are easily treated and all you need to do is to suck on a lemon or any bitter substance that will cause the stones to be dislodged. You could even massage them out. People suffering from Sjogren’s syndrome will have to rely heavily on a good intake of fluids to keep the mouth wet and may also have to take medications like cyclosporine. This is an immunosuppressant drug and is sometimes used to stop the immune system killing a person due to a genetic error in the DNA code that we are born with.
Considering that all these conditions cause a moderate to great amount of pain. Use herbal anti-inflammatory medicine will be of great help. This can be done by using ginger, turmeric, black pepper, and chili, all mashed up and added in copious quantities to boiled water in a soup with salt to taste. Drinking fever-few and ginger tea through the day will also help reduce pain and inflammation.
