A salivary gland infection develops if a viral or bacterial infection affects the salivary duct or gland. The infection can cause a diminished flow of saliva that can result to an obstruction or inflammation of the salivary duct.
It is important to note that saliva aids with digestion, breaks down food and keeps the mouth clean as well as washing away food particles and bacteria. It also helps in regulating the amount of good and bad bacteria in the mouth.
What are the causes of salivary gland infection?
A salivary gland infection is usually brought about by a bacterial. Staphylococcus aureus is the usual root of salivary gland infection.
These infections usually result from the diminished saliva production. This is often brought about by obstruction or inflammation of the salivary gland duct. Viruses and other medical ailments can also lower the production of saliva such as:
- Herpes
- Mumps
- HIV
A doctor should be consulted right away if an individual is suspected with a salivary gland infection along with high fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing or worsening symptoms. - Dehydration
- Salivary stones
- Influenza A and parainfluenza types I and II
- Malnutrition
- Tumors
- Salivary duct blockage due to mucus
- Poor oral hygiene
- Undergoing radiation cancer treatment of the head and neck
- Sarcoidosis
- Sjogren’s syndrome
What are the indications?
- Constant anomalous or foul taste in the mouth
- Dry mouth
- Pain or discomfort when opening the mouth or eating
- Difficulty or inability to completely open the mouth
- Pus in the mouth
- Facial pain
- Mouth pain
- Swelling or redness over the jaw in front of the ears, beneath the jaw or on the base of the mouth
- Swelling of the neck or face
- Indications of infection such as fever or chills
A doctor should be consulted right away if an individual is suspected with a salivary gland infection along with high fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing or worsening symptoms.
Management
The treatment is based on the severity of the infection, underlying cause and additional symptoms present such as pain or swelling.
Antibiotics are prescribed to manage a bacterial infection. In some cases, fine needle aspiration might be done to drain an abscess.
Home treatment options usually include:
- Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily with lemon to stimulate saliva production and keep the glands clear
- Massage the affected gland
- Apply a warm compress on the affected gland
- Suck on sour lemons or any sugar-free lemon candy to promote the flow of saliva and minimize the swelling
- Rinse the mouth using warm salt water
Most cases of salivary gland infections do not require surgery. Nevertheless, it might be required in chronic or recurrent infections.