Diagnosis
The patient will report the swelling and pain, especially while eating. This is already an indication for the examining dentist. In most cases, the dentist can make the final diagnosis by palpation and an X-ray.
Other diagnostic options include ultrasound examinations and, if possible, endoscopy. But the manual examination and the X-ray image should be sufficient to make the diagnosis “salivary stone“. A tumor must be excluded by differential diagnosis.
Which doctor treats salivary stone?
Depending on where the stone is placed, it can be treated either by a maxillofacial surgeon or an ear, nose and throat doctor. The ENT doctors are more likely to be consulted if the stone comes from the parotid gland, because then it can also cause earache.The more frequent occurrence of salivary stones in the mandibular salivary gland leads to swelling of the tissue around the jaw. In these cases, the dentist will refer you to an MKG colleague.
The two different doctors sometimes use different techniques to remove the stone, as they follow different scientific approaches. The surgeons tend to remove the stone as a whole, while the ENT surgeons prefer to use techniques such as shock wave therapy to move the stone. Therefore, it doesn’t really matter which doctor you go to, the important thing is to consult a doctor before an inflammation spreads.
Prognosis
With the removal of the salivary stone and possibly the entire gland, the disease is eliminated and due to the remaining glands, sufficient saliva is available. However, there is a risk of a new salivary stone reappearing, because these patients have a tendency for new salivary stones to appear.
Prophylaxis
As a prophylaxis, one should aim for a sufficient fluid intake to ensure a constant good flushing of the salivary glands. Basic diseases that could promote stone formation, such as diabetes or gout, should be treated naturally.
Halitosis
Bad breath does not originate directly from salivary stones. On the other hand, it is possible, for example, that an inflammation in the mouth may occur due to a lack of oral hygiene. This inflammation promotes the development of an inflammation in the salivary gland and a salivary stone.
Salivary stones can also form when viruses or bacteria enter the glands. These bacteria can cause decomposition processes in the mouth, which can lead to bad breath. If the inflammation solidifies in the salivary gland, pus is formed.
The pus can flow into the mouth through the excretory ducts and produce an unpleasant taste and smell. In addition, a salivary stone causes a dry mouth. The saliva is lacking to neutralize the acids from the food, which can lead to bad breath.
