How to get rid of a blocked salivary gland

Video: 4 Ways to Treat Salivary Gland Swelling at Home

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Method 1 of 3: Recognize signs and symptoms
Method 2 of 3: Treating the blocked salivary gland at home
Method 3 of 3: Get medical treatment
Warnings

The salivary glands are an important part of the body and help produce saliva in the mouth. A blocked salivary gland can be painful and can also become infected. Salivary stones are often the culprit, which can be caused by dehydration, injuries, diuretics and anticholinergics. It is possible to get rid of a blocked salivary gland at home by drinking more water, sucking on sour candies, or gently massaging the affected area. However, if the blockage is severe and you cannot get rid of it at home, it is important to see your doctor for treatment.

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Method 1 of 3: Recognize signs and symptoms

Look out for a dry mouth. Dry mouth is one of the most common symptoms of a blocked salivary gland. Because your salivary gland is blocked, less saliva is produced, which makes your mouth dry. Dry mouth is an annoying problem that can cause dry, cracked lips and bad breath. An important sign to watch out for is a bad taste in the mouth. This is one of the first signs of a blocked salivary gland.
- Keep in mind that dry mouth can be caused by many other things, such as certain medications, dehydration, cancer treatment, and tobacco use. Make sure to rule out all other possible causes of dry mouth.
Notice if your face and mouth hurt. The salivary glands are located in different places in the mouth: under the tongue, on the inside of the cheeks and at the bottom of the mouth. A blockage can cause mild to moderate pain in one of these areas, depending on where the blocked gland is located, the size of the salivary stone, and how long the gland has been blocked. The pain may decrease and come back, but usually the longer the gland is blocked, the worse the pain gets.
- 80-90% of salivary stones originate in the lower jaw salivary gland (under the jaw), but it is possible to have a stone in the parotid glands (on the sides of the mouth) or in the lower tongue salivary glands (under the tongue) because these are the three main salivary glands in the human body.
See if your face and neck are swollen. When saliva cannot flow from a blocked gland, the gland swells. You may see swelling under the jaw or ears, depending on the gland that is blocked. The swelling may be accompanied by pain in the same area, which may make it difficult to eat and drink.
Notice if you have more pain when you eat or drink something. Another important sign of a blocked salivary gland is difficulty eating and drinking. Some people with a blocked salivary gland have a sharp, stabbing pain just before or during a meal. The pain can occur while chewing or when you open your mouth. You may also have trouble swallowing when one of your salivary glands is blocked.
- Severe pain can be caused by a salivary stone that completely clogs the salivary gland.
Watch for signs of infection. If your blocked salivary gland isn't treated, it can become infected. When there is saliva in the gland and cannot flow out, it is more likely that bacteria will grow and spread. Signs of an infection include redness and pus near the salivary stone. Fever is also a sign of infection.
- It is important to make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible if you think you have an infection. Your doctor can treat the infection quickly and prescribe antibiotics.

Method 2 of 3: Treating the blocked salivary gland at home

Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth hydrated. One of the first steps to take if you have a blocked salivary gland is to drink more water. Drinking water can help you stay hydrated and increase the amount of saliva to reduce dry mouth. Keep a bottle of water with you and drink some of it occasionally during your day to keep you hydrated.
- It is recommended that women drink about three liters of fluids per day and men drink at least four liters of water per day. Of course this depends on how active you are, your environment and your weight. If you exercise frequently, the weather is hot and stuffy, or you are overweight, try to drink more water.
Take over-the-counter medicines for the pain and swelling. If you are experiencing severe pain from a blocked salivary gland, relieve the pain by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever. Some well-known medications that reduce pain and inflammation are ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Make sure you follow the directions on the packaging when taking these medications so you know when and how often to take them.
- Eating something cold like ice cubes and popsicles can also help reduce pain and swelling if you don't have painkillers at home.
Saber on citrus fruit or hard candies to loosen the saliva stone. A good way to clear a clogged salivary gland is to suck on something sour, such as a wedge of lemon or sour candies. Due to the acidity, more saliva is produced and the stone that clogs the gland slowly loosens. Make sure to chew the fruit or treat for as long as possible, instead of chewing it and swallowing it immediately.
Massage the salivary gland with your fingers. Another way to get rid of a blocked salivary gland is to massage the area in question. A gentle massage with your fingers can help soothe the pain and help loosen the stone. To perform the massage properly, first find the exact place where the salivary gland is clogged. This can be on your cheek right in front of your ear, or under your jaw and close to your chin. Place your index and middle fingers on the painful, swollen area and apply gentle pressure as you push them forward over the gland.
- Massage the salivary gland as often as necessary to release it. Stop massaging if it gets too painful.
Apply warm compresses to your neck to relieve pain and swelling. Place the compress in your neck for up to ten minutes and do this as often as needed during your day. You can make a warm compress yourself at home or buy one from the drugstore.
- To make a warm compress, fill a bowl with warm water and make sure the water is not too hot. If the water feels uncomfortable or burns you, it is too hot. Grab a clean washcloth and submerge it in the water. Then wring it out until it is moist. Fold the washcloth, put it on the painful area and leave it there for several minutes. When the washcloth gets cold, repeat the process with a clean washcloth and a new bowl of warm water.

Method 3 of 3: Get medical treatment

If you can't get rid of the blockage yourself at home, see a doctor. If all your efforts to get rid of the clogged salivary gland have failed, then you should see your doctor, especially if you are in severe pain. It's also important to talk to a doctor if you suspect you have an infection caused by a salivary stone. If your doctor is unable to remove the stone, he or she will refer you to the hospital for treatment there.
- If the blockage is caused by a salivary stone, your doctor can simply massage or push the area on the stone to get it out of the salivary gland.
- Your doctor may order an X-ray or CT scan to find the stones if they cannot be detected by a simple physical exam.
Have a sialendoscopy to remove salivary stones. A sialendoscopy is a less invasive method of removing stones in the salivary glands. In this treatment, an endoscope is inserted into the opening of the salivary gland and a small wire is used to remove the stone. This treatment takes about half an hour to an hour and patients recover very quickly. The only side effects are a painful and swollen salivary gland, which generally does not bother you for very long.
- Your doctor will look at the size, shape, and location of the stone to determine if the stone can be removed with a sialendoscopy. This treatment is more likely to be done if the stone is small.
Have surgery to remove large salivary stones. Stones smaller than two millimeters are usually removed without surgery. However, stones that are larger are more difficult to remove and surgery may be your only option. The procedure involves making a small cut in the mouth to allow the stone to be removed.
- Surgical intervention may also be necessary if you regularly suffer from salivary stones.