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Salivary gland infections, known as sialadenitis, are commonly bacterial but can also be viral. They usually result from diminished saliva flow due to blockage in one or more of the 6 salivary glands in your mouth. Seeking proper medical attention is crucial when suspecting a salivary gland infection. Additionally, there are simple home remedies like drinking lemon water and using warm compresses that can aid the healing process.
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Seeking Professional Treatment
Follow prescribed antibiotics for bacterial infections. Most salivary gland infections, stemming from blocked salivary ducts (sialadenitis), are bacterial. Typically, antibiotics are the primary treatment. It's essential to adhere to the antibiotic regimen as directed by your doctor, even if symptoms improve.
- Common antibiotics for salivary gland infections include dicloxacillin, clindamycin, and vancomycin.
- Possible side effects include diarrhea, nausea, indigestion, and abdominal pain. Some individuals may experience mild allergy symptoms like itching or coughing.
- If severe abdominal pain, recurrent vomiting, or serious allergic reactions such as difficulty breathing occur, seek immediate medical assistance.
Follow your doctor's instructions if an antibacterial rinse is prescribed. Alongside oral antibiotics, your doctor might recommend a mouth rinse to eliminate bacteria in your salivary gland(s). Use the antibacterial rinse as instructed.
- For example, chlorhexidine 0.12% mouth rinse is often prescribed for thrice-daily use. Swish it in your mouth for the specified duration, then spit it out.
Address the root cause of a viral salivary gland infection. Antibiotics won't treat a viral infection. Instead, your doctor will focus on treating the underlying cause — such as mumps or the flu — and manage the salivary gland infection symptoms.
- Conditions like influenza, mumps, HIV, and herpes can lead to salivary gland infections. Medical conditions like Sjogren’s syndrome, sarcoidosis, and oral cancer radiation therapy can also cause them.
Inquire about sialendoscopy for blockage treatment. Sialendoscopy, a modern procedure, involves a tiny camera and tools to diagnose and treat salivary gland infections. It can sometimes remove blockages and infected areas, expediting recovery.
- Sialendoscopy is usually performed as an outpatient procedure with high success rates. However, availability may vary due to its recent introduction and the necessary physician training.
Explore surgical options for severe or recurrent infections.
Chronic or complicated salivary gland duct blockages may require gland removal surgery. Humans have three pairs of major salivary glands, so removal of one gland won't significantly affect saliva production.
- The surgery lasts about 30 minutes and necessitates general anesthesia and an overnight hospital stay. Recovery typically takes a week with minimal risk of complications.
Enhancing Your At-Home Medical Care
Consume 8-10 glasses of water infused with lemon daily. Adequate hydration facilitates saliva production, aiding in infection and blockage clearance. Adding lemon wedges to your water further stimulates saliva production.
- Opt for plain water with lemon over sugary drinks like lemonade, which can harm dental and overall health.
Enjoy sugar-free lemon candies or lemon wedges. Sour candies boost saliva production, but opt for sugar-free options to protect your teeth. Alternatively, suck on lemon wedges throughout the day for a natural and sour remedy.
Gargle with lukewarm, salted water. Mix half a teaspoon of table salt into 8 fluid ounces (240 ml) of tepid water. Gargle with the solution, swishing it around your mouth before spitting it out. Avoid swallowing.
- Repeat this process up to 3 times daily or as per your doctor's recommendation.
- Salted water helps clear infection and offers temporary pain relief.
Apply warm compresses to your cheek or jaw. Dip a cloth in warm water (not too hot) and apply it to the skin near the infected gland. Hold until the cloth cools.
- Repeat as needed, unless advised otherwise by your doctor.
- Warm compresses alleviate swelling and provide temporary pain relief.
- Salivary gland infections often affect glands at the back of the mouth, so focus the compress near your ear.
Massage your cheek or jaw with gentle pressure. Using circular motions, massage the skin near the infected gland with your first two fingers, such as below your ear. Repeat as desired or as directed by your doctor.
- Massaging can alleviate pain and swelling, and aid in clearing the salivary duct blockage.
Follow your doctor's recommendation for over-the-counter pain relievers. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can alleviate pain and reduce fever associated with a salivary gland infection.
- Consult your doctor before taking these common OTC medications.
- Take the medication as directed by your doctor or as indicated on the packaging.
Notify your doctor if your condition deteriorates. While major complications are uncommon, they can arise. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience a high fever (above 103 °F (39 °C) for adults), or have difficulty swallowing or breathing.
- Difficulty breathing indicates a severe condition.
- These symptoms may signify the spread of infection.
Reducing Your Risk of Salivary Gland Infections
Maintain good oral hygiene. While salivary gland infections cannot always be prevented, practicing proper dental care can reduce oral bacteria, lowering infection risk. Brush your teeth twice daily, floss regularly, and attend dental checkups biannually.
Stay hydrated daily. Increased water intake promotes saliva production, reducing the likelihood of salivary duct blockage and infection.
- Choose plain water for hydration, as sugary drinks harm dental and overall health, while caffeine and alcohol can dehydrate.
Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco. Quitting smoking or avoiding tobacco altogether is crucial as it introduces harmful bacteria and toxins into your mouth, increasing the risk of salivary gland infections.
- Tobacco use also elevates the risk of salivary gland cancer. Consult your doctor if you notice any unusual lumps or swellings in your mouth or neck.
- If you're in the US, you can seek support by calling the CDC's quit line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
Get immunized against mumps. Immunization against mumps, typically through the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, substantially reduces the likelihood of viral salivary gland infections.
- In the U.S., children typically receive the MMR vaccine at 12-15 months and again at 4-6 years. If you missed vaccination during childhood, consult your doctor promptly.
Consult your doctor if you experience possible symptoms. Symptoms of a salivary gland infection may include fever, chills, pus discharge, dry mouth, pain or difficulty while eating or opening your mouth fully, and swelling of the face or neck.
Undergo diagnostic tests for a salivary gland infection. While a visual examination and symptom analysis can often diagnose the condition, your doctor may recommend ultrasound, MRI, or CT scans for a closer evaluation. In some cases, a needle biopsy may be necessary to sample tissue if there's concern about a tumor blocking the salivary duct.
