SALIVARY GLAND INFECTION

(Sialadenitis)

 Basic information

description

Salivary gland infection is an infection of a saliva-producing gland. Saliva is the moisture in the mouth that helps with chewing and swallowing. A salivary gland infection can affect all ages, but occurs more often in older adults.

• There are three pairs of major salivary glands:
  • Parotids are the largest. They are located in each cheek, over the jaws, in front of the ears.
  • Submandibulars are located at the back of the mouth on both sides of the jaw.
  • Sublinguals are located under the floor of the mouth.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Pain, tenderness, and swelling of the face or mouth.
• Dry mouth.
• May be hard to open mouth wide.
• Foul taste or food may taste strange.
• There may be a bitter tasting pus, which is a creamy fluid, in the mouth caused by the infection.
• Fever, chills.
• Facial redness.

causes

There are a wide variety of causes of salivary gland infections. They can be due to bacteria (e.g., staph infection), viruses (e.g., mumps), autoimmune diseases, or result from other medical conditions. A gland can also become blocked by tiny, stone-like substances.

risk increases with

• Poor oral hygiene.
• Adults over age 60.
• Not vaccinated against mumps.
• Certain medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, Sjogren's syndrome, dehydration, malnutrition, HIV/AIDS, alcoholism, or bulimia).
• Radiation therapy of the head or neck.
• Use of certain drugs.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

• None specific.
• Brush and floss teeth often and use germ-killing mouthwash, especially when ill.
• Visit your dentist regularly for checkups.
• Eat a healthy diet.

expected outcomes

Symptoms usually improve within a week with self-care or drug therapy. In some cases, the outcome depends on the underlying cause.

possible complications

• Infection may recur or bacterial infection may spread.
• Abscess (pus-filled sore).

 diagnosis & treatment

general measures

• Your health care provider will do a physical exam of the head, neck, mouth, and throat. Tests may be done on a sample of the fluid from the infected gland. An x-ray, ultrasound, CT, or MRI may be done.
• Treatment may involve self-care, drug therapy if needed, and, rarely, surgery.
• For pain control, apply warm soaks or a heating pad on low setting.
• Rinse the mouth with warm salt water a few times a day. Use one-half teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water. This may help ease the pain.
• Suck on hard candy, such as lemon drops to increase moisture in the mouth.
• Don't smoke. Smoking can delay healing.
• If the gland becomes blocked with a stone or scar tissue, surgery may be needed before the infection can heal. This is rare.

medications

• Antibiotics may be prescribed for bacterial infection.
• For minor pain, you may use nonprescription drugs such as acetaminophen.
• If a drug you take is a risk factor, you may be advised to discontinue its use.
• Drugs may be prescribed for an underlying condition.

activity

No limits.

diet

No special diet. Drink plenty of fluids each day.

 notify our office if

• You or a family member has symptoms of a salivary gland infection.
• The infection does not improve in four days or symptoms get worse despite treatment.
• Fever persists or recurs after treatment.

Special Notes: