Salivary gland stone/blockage

[itstimeforme]

For about 10 days, I have had a lot of tenderness underneath my earlobe and heading up to my cheekbone. I saw a doctor a few days ago who said it might be a salivary stone, I don’t feel unwell in myself but the pain is bad especially when I eat. I’ve been eating lots of lemons and using a hot compress where the pain is to encourage drainage. The pain is not there all the time. Has anyone had this and any recommendations for how to get rid of it quickly! Thank you

Massaging the area, to encourage the stone to disperse. Drink plenty of water and lemons, chewing gum etc can help. I don't think there's any quick fix unfortunately. Do keep an eye on yourself, as if the gland becomes infected, you will need antibiotics.

My Mum had stones in her saliva gland, and she got an infection, and ended up in hospital. They battled to stop sepsis from setting in. Eventually the stones dispersed, on their own.

My husband had this, chew sour patch gummies or any sweets that are really sour and chewy. Also massage the area.

I had this with an infected gland. Pain was OK most of the time and then absolutely overwhelming at the point of trying to eat anything.

Combination of massage and antibiotics got rid. Hope it doesn't happen again as it was excruciating.

Thank you everyone. All very useful advice which I will carry out. Yes, feel fine for a few hours then returns with a vengeance!

@AnnaMagnaniHow did you find out it was infected?

My dad had salivary gland stones and had surgery aged 70. All went fine and he recovered quickly.They put the stones in a jar to show him after. One huge one about 15 mm in diameter and loads of smaller ones! We couldn't believe it.
He didn't seem to have as much day to day pain as you though. He just felt a hard lump in his neck. Maybe you have something more like an abscess, especially if it has come on quickly?

@itstimeforme I had a hot red lump on the side of my face, it was easy to see.

Thanks @CurlyKoalie, glad your dad’s ok.
Thanks @AnnaMagnani that’s interesting, no pain at all since dinner!

My son had one. It wasn't painful but his dentist referred him to get it looked at and they removed it - 5-minute procedure wth a tiny bit of local anaesthetic and it's not come back (removed last summer). Apparently a huge amount of fluid drained out when they removed it and then massaged a bit - he'd been moaning that he was getting a double chin but it had completely gone when he walked out of the procedure room.

@spiderlightCould his dentist see it?

Yes, it was under his tongue. Dentist spotted it during a check-up.

I’ve had several removed on separate occasions. GP was rubbish and told me there was nothing wrong despite me feeling a lump. Asked my dentist to check and he immediately referred me to a max facial consultant. He did lots of tests and scans to check it wasn’t a tumour and then removed it under gentle sedation and local anaesthetic. It was the size of my little finger nail.

consultant told me they can be very dangerous if you get an infection because it can spread quite quickly.

couple of years later I felt another, so rang consultants secretary and he saw me a few days later. Popped some
local anaesthetic in and took out 3 tiny stones!

don’t hang about getting this looked at!

Thanks @spiderlight

@DamnFineWoman . Thank you. What were your symptoms and where were your stones? How did they get to the stones to remove them. Sorry so many questions! Just under my ear lobe is very tender. I was just looking at sour sweets in a shop earlier and the pain felt intense! Will contact GP tomorrow.

Would suggest seeing dentist first instead of GP

@Dunkerquetodover Thanks. Why would that be better? The pain doesn’t feel like it’s in my mouth, just under my ear. I will try dentist too though!

The end of the duct from the gland opens into your mouth. It is very likely the dentist will be able to locate the stone and if it is reachable, remove it. Much better to see a dentist.

Because salivary gland and stone issues are best diagnosed and managed by dentists, max fax and oral medicine (the latter 2 both go through dental training). Same goes for any lumps/ulcers in mouth and on tongue. They can refer for further tests.

Also, dentist can Xray the the duct in the surgery. GP would probably refer you to dentist anyway in the first instance.

@endofthelinefinally@DunkerquetodoverThanks both that makes perfect sense, will get in touch with my dentist tomorrow

Hi, I could feel a lump in the bottom of my mouth with my tongue and also under my jaw. I then had an infection (temperature and feeling unwell) and really bad breath? My GP said there was no lump but still gave me antibiotics which helped.

Both times the consultant made a small cut in the bottom of my mouth, under the tongue and removed them that way. The first time he did warn me that if he couldn’t remove it that way then he’d have to make an incision in my neck to remove it.

@DamnFineWoman Thanks, I’m glad you got it sorted.

I woke up with a small bit of chalky grit in my mouth today and lots of saliva, so I’m wondering if a stone or bit of it has travelled down. Appreciate everyone’s advice x

Sounds like it. I'd give the gland a good massage. From ear towards corner of your mouth.

Sounds like it. I'd give the gland a good massage. From ear towards corner of your mouth.

@Dunkerquetodover, thanks, massaging this very minute!

Such a small and quick procedure to have them removed, and such a relief afterwards! Had mine done at hospital. Dr referred me as she thought it was cancer, the hospital Dr took a look and - there were students present by my consent - asked me if I thought it was cancer, I said no I didn't really.
He turned to the students and said - so there you go, always ask your patients what they think, she's right, it's not cancer it's salivary stones.

Then quick cut and they were out. Easiest thing ever. I appreciate yours sound like they are further up the duct.

See whoever you can today who you think will actually do something whether that's Dr or dentist. Hopefully you can have it sorted out really quickly without any more faffing about.
Best of luck and let us know how it goes.