Introduction
In the ducts of the salivary glands (Glandula parotidea, Glandula submandibularis, Glandula sublingualis) hard concrements can form, which are called salivary stones (sialolith). This salivary stone can clog the ducts of the salivary glands, lead to a backlog of saliva and thus cause a painful feeling of pressure in the area of the salivary glands. A salivary stone usually occurs on one side only.
Salivary glands
The oral cavity is lined with moist mucosa. The constant moisture is ensured by the saliva produced by salivary glands. There are essentially 3 paired salivary glands in the mouth.
These are the parotid gland (Glandula parotis), the sublingual gland (Glandula sublingualis) and the mandibular parotid gland (Glandula submandibularis). Small parotid glands (Glandulae lingualis) do not play a role in stone formation. The saliva produced by the individual glands is of varying consistency.
This ranges from viscous to thin. The saliva not only serves to moisten the stone, it also has other functions. It contains calcium and fluoride to remineralize and harden the enamel and a digestive enzyme that initiates the splitting of carbohydrates. Finally, it also makes food slippery so that it is easier to swallow.
Salivary stone
A salivary stone usually occurs on one side only. The probability that a salivary stone has formed is different for the 3 glands. The occurrence of salivary stones is rather rare, there are about 40 cases per 1.
000. 000 inhabitants. Men are more frequently affected than women.
Salivary stones occur mainly in middle age. Extremely rarely, however, salivary stones can also form in childhood. The size of the salivary stones ranges between 1 and 5 millimeters. They grow relatively slowly, about 1 millimeter per year. Due to the composition of the saliva, the stones consist of both organic and inorganic components.
Symptoms
- Painful feeling of pressure: As soon as the salivary gland produces saliva, a painful feeling of pressure occurs in the area of the salivary glands. The pain is either in front of the ear, under the tongue or under the back edge of the lower jaw. This happens when the food comes into contact with receptors on the mucous membrane of the mouth, through movement of the chewing muscles, or already when smelling or thinking of a tasty meal.
The increased saliva produced cannot drain away through the blocked salivary gland duct. Pressure builds up in the gland. The gland swells and hardens.
- Pain in the temporomandibular joint
- Headaches
- Often pain only on one half of the face
- Obstruction of the mouth opening
- Inflammation: Signs of this are swollen, red colored excretory ducts in the mouth.
The skin on the cheeks may also turn red. Typical for an inflammation is that the skin becomes warm.
- Formation of an abscess: If this inflammation is not treated, an abscess may occur. This encapsulates pus and other secretions from the gland, swells up and causes further discomfort because it presses on the salivary gland and surrounding structures.
