Salivary gland stones, also called sialolithiasis, are calcifications that may form inside a salivary gland. People aged 30 to 60 are more likely to experience it and are more vulnerable to men than women. Eighty per cent of all salivary gland stones occur in the submandibular gland. In other cases, stones can form in the
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Parotid glands
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Sublingual glands
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Minor salivary glands
How do salivary gland stones affect?
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Blocks the flow of saliva
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Causes pain or discomfort
What are the causes?
The exact cause of salivary gland stones is unknown. However, these factors can contribute towards the development of the condition:
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Less saliva production
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Mouth injuries
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Dehydration
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Poor diet
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Ageing
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Usage of certain drugs for controlling blood pressure, bladder, etc.
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Kidney problems
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Smoking
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Gum disease
If you experience these symptoms, consult an ENT doctor in Dubai.
Diagnosis and Treatments
The diagnosis of salivary gland stones is carried through a physical examination. In addition, the doctors may recommend an ultrasound, CT scan, or X-ray. Furthermore, they will always try to remove the stone if detected.
Aster Hospitals is one of the hospitals in Dubai for salivary gland stone treatment in Dubai.
In most cases, conservative treatment is used to treat salivary gland stones. Doctors will massage or push the smaller stones out of the duct.
What are the home remedies available?
Boost fluid intake
Regular fluid intake will help to keep the mouth hydrated and increase saliva flow.
Sucking hard candies or citrus fruits
Saliva flow will increase by sucking on a wedge of citric fruit such as orange or lemon. It will help dislodge salivary gland stones. One can also try sucking candies based on lemon or oranges.
Massage
Applying gentle massage on the affected region may relieve pain and push the stone to pass through the salivary duct.
Medicines
Some medications can relieve pain and swell in the affected region. Some of the over-the-counter medications are ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
Sucking on ice cubes
It may help reduce pain and swelling resulting from salivary stones.
Non-invasive and invasive treatments
Minimally invasive procedures are the most common to treat the condition. Surgical treatments are rarely used in cases where bigger stones are harder to remove through minimally invasive procedures.
Sialendoscopy is a new, less invasive technique for treatment. It visualizes and locates the salivary gland stones through tiny lighted scopes inserted into the gland's opening in the mouth.
To remove the stone and relieve the blockage, doctors use micro-instruments. A patient can go home on the same day as the treatment is carried out under local anesthesia.
In some cases, the patient may require a surgical procedure to remove the stone if it's bigger. The surgical procedure may be combined with sialendoscopy.
What to expect after a surgical procedure?
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Experiencing sores at the incision region
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Recovery can take up to two weeks
During recovery, it’s vital to consume soft foods and pain medication as recommended by the doctor. One also must stay hydrated during the recovery process.