Salivary stones are small stones that can occur in all glands in the mouth. They are formed from components of saliva and can clog salivary glands. This often leads to a build-up of saliva, which can lead to inflammation under certain circumstances.
Detailed information on the development, symptoms and treatment options as well as recommended doctors for salivary stones can be found below.
Salivary stones are formed from components of saliva, including
The stones form in a salivary gland and can block it. They can be found in various places:
Whether a gland is blocked or not depends on the size and location of the salivary stones. A salivary stone has a diameter of about one millimeter to several centimeters.
The presence of salivary stones is usually associated with an imbalance in the composition of saliva. This can promote the formation of tartar.
Salivary stones are often only detected by chance on an X-ray.
The location and size of the salivary glands (in yellow) © Pushpraj | AdobeStock
There are various causes for the formation of salivary stones, often including not drinking enough fluids. Insufficient fluid intake thickens the saliva, which can promote the formation of salivary stones.
Due to the lack of fluids, the body reduces the amount of water released via the saliva and therefore reduces saliva production. However, if the glands are no longer flushed properly, hard concretions (deposits) can form.
Other factors also promote the occurrence of salivary stones:
Patients suffering from salivary stones do not necessarily develop symptoms. It usually depends on their location and size whether salivary stones become noticeable at all.
As a rule, symptoms only occur when the salivary stones block the glands, resulting in impaired saliva flow. The symptoms are often inflammatory in nature and associated with pain. For example, painful discomfort can occur while eating, as this increases saliva production.
It can also lead to
can occur. In such a case, sialadenitis (inflammation of the salivary glands) is often present. In most cases, inflammation of the parotid gland is visible. This symptom often occurs in cases of mumps.
There are various options for treating salivary stones. Here, too, it depends on
depends.
One gentle way of treating salivary stones is massage. Both doctor and patient can try to move the stuck salivary stones towards the outlet of the glands using targeted movements. They are then flushed out with the saliva.
If the salivary stones are smaller, special foods can be used to increase the flow of saliva.
for example, stimulate the flow of saliva and can ensure that the stones are rinsed out with the saliva.
These methods are also referred to as conservative therapy, as they do not involve any intervention. Conservative methods also include treatment with antibiotics. These are administered if salivary gland inflammation has occurred as a result of the salivary stones. They combat the inflammation and prevent it from spreading further.
If these measures are not successful, other treatment methods are available. For example, a special type of shock wave therapy can be used. The ultrasound waves cause the salivary stones to dissolve and the remnants are also flushed out with the saliva.
Alternatively, a salivary duct endoscopy can be performed. Here, the salivary calculus is removed under local or general anesthesia
Sometimes an inflammation of the salivary glands develops again, or the removal of the salivary stones is not successful. It may then be necessary to remove the entire salivary gland .
However, care must be taken during this operation to avoid damaging any sensory nerves
are injured. This could lead to (usually temporary) taste disorders and numbness.
Due to their invasive nature, these surgical procedures are no longer considered conservative treatment methods.
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