Therapy
With the exception of salivary gland inflammation caused by a virus, it is important to detect and treat the cause so that the glandular tissue can subsequently recover and heal. Stones should be removed from the glandular duct if possible to avoid a recurrence of the inflammation. If rheumatic diseases such as Sjögren’s syndrome are the cause of recurrent inflammation, they should be treated with medication if possible.
As already mentioned, a dry mouth forms the basis for colonization with pathogens. This colonization can be counteracted with sufficient fluid intake and oral hygiene. During the illness it is recommended to resort to soft food so that chewing and swallowing does not hurt too much.
Saliva production can also be stimulated by eating acidic foods, such as sugar-free, sour candies or with the help of acidic juices or water mixed with lemon juice, which flushes and cleanses the glandular ducts and tissue. In many cases, smaller salivary stones can also be transported from the glandular ducts into the oral cavity in this way, which saves the person concerned the endoscopic removal under short anaesthesia. Massages of the area where the salivary stone is stuck in the glandular duct can also help to loosen it and thus facilitate its removal.
If bacteria are the cause of the inflammation, antibiotics are used for treatment. In the case of a viral inflammation of the gland, the symptomatic therapy is the main focus. This includes the treatment of pain and fever with medication.
Suitable drugs are ibuprofen and paracetamol. However, symptomatic therapy is also part of treatment for other triggers mentioned above. If a purulent abscess has formed as a complication, it must be opened up to allow the pus to drain away and prevent it from breaking through into the blood vessels and possibly causing blood poisoning. Existing constrictions in the glandular ducts should be removed, as these can also be the cause of recurrent inflammation. In the case of repeated salivary gland inflammations, which heal hardly at all or only after a long period of time, removal of the affected gland should be considered.
