Do you also have swollen cheeks and pain when eating? Let's talk about salivary gland infection (Sialadenitis)

Have you ever felt a small lump or pain in your cheek, in front of your ear, or under your jaw? Does this pain seem to increase when you want to eat something, or when you salivate when you see something sour? This is the inflammation of the salivary glands that we are going to talk about today, which is a condition called `Sialadenitis` in medical terms. Don't worry, we will talk about everything in simple terms.

Simply put, what is Sialadenitis?

Sialadenitis is when one or more of our salivary glands become swollen and inflamed. We all have glands in our mouths that produce saliva. We call these salivary glands. This saliva helps us swallow and digest the food we eat. Not only that, but it also helps protect our teeth from harmful bacteria.

There are three main types of salivary glands in our mouth.

• Parotid glands: These are located in front of our ears, on either side of our cheeks.
• Submandibular glands: These are located under the jaw, slightly back in the mouth.
• Sublingual glands: These are located under the tongue.

In addition to these three large glands, there are hundreds of smaller salivary glands throughout the mouth, such as inside our lips and cheeks. The two largest glands most affected by sialadenitis are the parotid and submandibular glands.

This condition can occur suddenly (acute), last for a long time (chronic), or improve and then recur (recurrent).

Who is most likely to develop this condition?

Although this can happen to anyone, some people are at higher risk. This condition is especially common in people over the age of 50 , and in those who have salivary gland stones.

In addition, the following people are also at risk:

• For babies in the first few weeks after birth.
• For those who are suffering from an illness or recovering from surgery.
• For those who have dehydration, that is, a lack of water in the body.
• For those suffering from malnutrition.
• Immunosuppression is for those with low immunity. That is, those with low resistance to disease.

Do you also have these symptoms?

You may be wondering if this is a serious condition. Yes, if not treated properly, this infection can spread to the deeper tissues of the head and neck and become serious. Therefore, if you have any of the following symptoms, it is very important to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Why is this happening? What are the reasons?

There is no single reason for this situation. Several factors may be involved.

• Bacterial or viral infection: Often the main cause of this is a bacterial infection.
• Dehydration: When the body doesn't have enough water, saliva production decreases, which can lead to infections.
• A recent illness.
• Certain medications: Certain medications, such as diuretics, antihistamines, and beta-blockers, can increase dry mouth and cause this condition.
• Autoimmune diseases: Conditions such as Sjögren's syndrome can affect the salivary glands.
• Poor oral hygiene.

Is this a contagious disease?

This depends on the cause. Let's say the cause is a bacterial or viral infection. So yes, it can be spread through sneezing, coughing, and saliva. But if the cause of this swelling is something like a salivary gland stone, it is not spread from one person to another.

How do you find this, Doctor?

When you see a doctor, he or she will first ask you about your symptoms and examine the area where the swelling is. Sometimes, the salivary glands may be examined using a small camera-equipped device called an endoscope.

You may be asked to have a scan to check for stones or other things stuck inside the glands. This may involve an ultrasound or a computed tomography (CT) scan .

In some cases, you may be referred to an ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT - `otolaryngologist`) for further testing.

So, what can be done to treat this?

The treatment method depends on the severity of your condition.

Antibiotics

Since this is often caused by a bacterial infection, the first thing the doctor will do is prescribe an appropriate antibiotic. It is very important to take the medication your doctor prescribes exactly for the full duration.

Things you can do at home

While taking medication, there are several things you can do at home to reduce pain and increase saliva flow.

• Drink plenty of water: Drinking at least 8-10 glasses of water a day can help prevent dehydration.
• Sour foods: Things like drinking lemon juice and chewing sour candy stimulate saliva production and help clear out stuck objects.
• Warm compresses: Applying warm water to the swollen area can reduce pain and swelling.
• Gentle massage: Gently massaging the swollen gland can help with saliva flow.
• Oral hygiene: Brushing your teeth thoroughly twice a day and keeping your mouth clean is essential.

Surgery and other treatments

In some severe cases, hospitalization may be required and saline and antibiotics may be given through a vein (intravenous - IV).

How long will it take for this condition to heal?

Usually, this infection will clear up within a week with home care and medication prescribed by your doctor. However, if surgery is required, it may take up to two weeks for the swelling and bruising to completely go away.

This condition can recur in some people. Drinking plenty of water, taking care of your oral hygiene, and avoiding smoking can help reduce this risk.

When should you definitely see a doctor and go to the ETU?

This is a very important part. You need to know exactly the difference between normal symptoms and an emergency.

Sialadenitis, Swelling of the cheek, Pain while eating, Mouth infections, Salivary stones, Salivary gland infection sinhala