Sialolithiasis, a symptom due to disorders of the salivary glands

Definition

What is sialolithiasis?

Sialolithiasis is a group of symptoms caused by disorders of the salivary glands.

The salivary glands produce saliva, which keeps your mouth moisturised, protects teeth from premature decay, and helps digest food. The salivary glands are located around the inner and outer sides of the gums, under the tongue, and on the inner cheeks.

A variety of conditions can cause sialolithiasis, from cancerous tumors to Sjogren's syndrome. Most of them are caused by calcification of stones in the salivary glands.

Some cases of sialolithiasis resolve with antibiotic treatment, while others require more serious therapy, including surgery.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of sialolithiasis?

Symptoms of sialolithiasis include:

Painful lump under the tongue
Excessive pain when chewing and swallowing

Another type of sialolithiasis, namely sialadenitis, can cause:

Lumps on the cheeks or under the chin
Out of pus in the mouth, which smells strong
Fever

Cysts that grow in the salivary glands can cause:

Lumps that may burst and discharge yellow discharge
It's hard to chew
It's hard to speak
Difficulty swallowing

Viral infections that attack the salivary glands, such as mumps, can cause:

Fever
Muscleache
Joint pain
Swelling on both sides of the face
Headache

Symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome include:

Dry mouth
Dry eyes
Tooth decay
Oral thrush
Joint pain or swollen joints
Dry cough
Fatigue without cause
Swollen salivary glands
Recurrent salivary gland infection

Diabetes and alcoholism can cause the salivary glands to swell.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

See a doctor if any of the following symptoms appear:

Strange taste sensation in mouth
Dry mouth
Mouth hurts
Swollen face
Difficulty opening your mouth

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

Cause

What causes sialolithiasis?

The most common cause of sialolithiasis is calcification of stones that block the salivary glands. You have three pairs of salivary glands, called parotid, submandibular, and sublingual, which work to produce saliva. Calcification of one or more of these glands can cause painful symptoms.

A strep or staph bacterial infection can cause sialadenitis, another type of sialolithiasis. The flu viruses, mumps, coxsackie, echovirus, and cytomegalovirus can also cause infections of the salivary glands.

Non-cancerous tumors, cancerous tumors, and Sjogren's syndrome can cause disorders of the salivary glands leading to sialolithiasis.

Diagnosis & Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is sialolithiasis diagnosed?

The diagnosis of sialolithiasis begins with a basic physical examination based on your medical history and symptoms. Tissue bisection may be done if your doctor suspects you have an autoimmune disease that affects the function of the salivary glands.

However, in some cases the cause is obvious and does not require diagnostic testing.

The doctor can do an X-ray of the teeth (can also be a CT scan or MRI) to find stones blocking the salivary glands. The surgeon can then perform microsurgery to remove the stone.

How is sialolithiasis treated?

The treatment of sialolithiasis depends on the underlying disease / health condition and its severity. For example, sialolithiasis caused by a bacterial infection can be treated with antibiotics.

If you have a cyst or tumor in the salivary gland, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove it. Cancerous tumors can be treated with radiotherapy. Radiation therapy can cause dry mouth, which can make you uncomfortable and interfere with digestion. Your doctor will advise you to drink more water and avoid salty foods.