Salivary gland inflammation is one of the health problems that some suffer from, and the salivary glands are the glands that make saliva, which helps swallowing and digestion and protects your teeth from bacteria. clevelandclinic There are three major salivary glands:
1: The parotid glands in front of the ear in the cheeks.
2: Submandibular glands under the chin.
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3: Glands under the tongue.
Sialadenitis mostly affects the parotid and submandibular glands, and it can be acute (sudden), chronic (long-term), or recurrent.
Who gets sialadenitis?
Sialadenitis is more common among older adults with salivary gland stones, which are calcified structures that can form inside the salivary gland and block the flow of saliva to the mouth. Sialadenitis may also occur in other age groups, including infants, during the first few weeks since birth.
Sialadenitis affects both men and women, and most often occurs in people who are sick or recovering from surgery, or people who are dehydrated, malnourished, or immunosuppressed (when your body can’t fight the disease).
What causes sialadenitis?
Sialadenitis is usually caused by a virus or bacteria, and poor oral hygiene can contribute to sialadenitis..
What are the symptoms of sialadenitis?
1: Enlargement and redness of one or more salivary glands.
2: Fever (when inflammation leads to infection).
3: Lack of saliva (a symptom of acute and chronic sialadenitis).
4: Pain while eating.
5: Dry mouth.
6: Redness of the skin.
7: Swelling in the cheek and neck.
Sialadenitis is usually treated first with an antibiotic. You will also be advised of other treatments to help relieve pain and increase saliva flow. These include drinking lemon juice or using warm compresses and massaging the gland..
If your sialadenitis has caused an abscess, it must also be drained, and in rare cases, surgery may be necessary..
