Diagnosis
The salivary stones are usually detected by the dentist. To make a diagnosis, the dentist can palpate the salivary glands, take an X-ray or perform an ultrasound examination. Once the diagnosis has been made, the dentist can usually start treatment directly.
Duration
The duration of the disease depends entirely on how large the salivary stone is and when it is discovered. If the stone in the parotid gland is noticed right at the beginning of its development, the doctor will try to remove it with so-called “conventional” methods. In doing so, the gland should be spared and the stone should be washed out.
If these methods work, the stone can be removed within a few minutes. Only an existing inflammation then lasts even longer and causes complaints for a few days. However, if the salivary stone has already grown in, the only solution is an operation in which the entire gland must be removed. The healing process then takes a little longer, since it is a surgical procedure with all its side effects.
Salivary stone therapy
In favorable cases the salivary stones can be removed conservatively. For this purpose, acid drops are sucked to promote saliva secretion and thus flush the salivary stone towards the “exit”. If the stone is close enough to the opening of the excretory duct, the stone can be massaged out by the dentist.
If this is not possible, the excretory duct can be surgically cut open and connected to the oral cavity. In doing so, the stone is removed and at the same time a new opening of the excretory duct is created, as it is assumed that otherwise a renewed formation of salivary stone would be likely. If the salivary stones are very close to the same or even within the gland, it may be necessary to remove the entire salivary gland.
For this purpose, an incision is made from the outside under general anesthesia and then the gland is removed.In case of acute inflammation of a salivary gland, an antibiotic should be taken. In order to avoid salivary stones as far as possible, one should drink enough liquid. A lack of water changes the composition of saliva and makes it thicker, which can promote the formation of stones.
The prognosis of salivary stones is usually good. However, if salivary stones are repeatedly formed in the same gland, or if the stone lies within the gland, the salivary gland must be removed. However, the loss of one gland can be compensated for by the other salivary glands present.
If a salivary stone does not disappear on its own or with the help of conservative methods, surgery is usually necessary to prevent chronic inflammation of the gland. Depending on where the salivary stone is located, the gland must be removed completely or partially. Surgery is only performed under general anesthesia, as this is a major procedure.
An incision is made through the skin in front of the ear up to the neck. The surgeon tries to cut into skin folds as much as possible, so that no large scar is left behind later. After the operation, a drainage must be placed for two days to drain off the wound fluid.
Although this procedure is not uncommon, it can cause many complications. In addition to the general risks of the operation, such as increased bleeding, infections or the like, there is another problem – the risk of injury to the facial nerve. Since the so-called “facial nerve” has a close positional relationship to the parotid gland, it can be quickly damaged by the operation.
If the nerve is severed, various facial muscles may become immobile. However, the surgeon will inform you about the exact surgical procedure, the risks and the benefits beforehand. Further questions can also be clarified there.
As a home remedy, so-called saliva looseners are particularly helpful. These are food and drinks that stimulate the flow of saliva and thus promote the production of saliva in the parotid gland. Lemon juice has proven to be very effective here, especially in the form of sweets and chewing gum.
Increased saliva production can cause a small stone to be transported outside. Similar to the lemon, other sour foods – such as candy or sour cucumber – also have a positive effect on saliva flow. The newly formed saliva can then build up a certain pressure in the blocked excretory duct of the gland and thus propel the stone towards the mouth.
You can also try to massage the gland yourself with your hand and push the stone outwards. However, this self-treatment should only be continued as long as there is no severe pain. Because then an inflammation will occur, which should be treated by a doctor.
In principle: Yes, you can remove a salivary stone yourself. However, some rules should be observed so that the situation is not made even worse. As with the methods described above, you can try to bring the stone to the surface yourself.
However, if pain or swelling of the gland occurs, a visit to the doctor should be made immediately. A bacterial infection can develop, which should be healed under medical supervision.
