Do You Know About Salivary Stones?

Saliva keeps the mouth comfortably moist, protects enamel, aids chewing and swallowing, neutralizes destructive acids, kills germs, fights bad breath, and fights tooth decay and gum disease. Saliva comes out of six major salivary glands—they’re in the cheeks, under the tongue and near the jawbone—and hundreds of minor glands. Saliva keeps the mouth comfortably moist, protects enamel, aids chewing and swallowing, neutralizes destructive acids, kills germs, fights bad breath, and fights tooth decay and gum disease. Saliva comes out of six major salivary glands—they’re in the cheeks, under the tongue and near the jawbone—and hundreds of minor glands. 

The office of Fort Street Dentistry is enthusiastic about treating your oral health. It’s as important to us as it is to you. In addition to our high-quality, comprehensive dental care, we have a welcoming, patient-focused environment in which each client will feel at ease.

As with every system in your body, things can go amiss. Salivary glands’ ducts can develop small, hard deposits of calcium and minerals that range from a few millimeters to 2 centimeters. If the deposits get big enough, they can block the ducts, make the gland swell and cause a condition called sialolithiasis. Out of the three major glands, 80 percent are in the one near the jawbone. Salivary stones have no definite cause.

You may have salivary stones if you have pain in your face, neck or mouth that elevates when you’re eating. Lesser symptoms include dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, problems opening your mouth or a bad taste. Sometimes, an affected cheek will swell up over the course of a few hours.

 
If you suspect you have salivary stones, see your dentist for an immediate exam. If not addressed, they occasionally trigger an infection or an abscess. Your treatment depends on the stone’s size and site. He (or she) might take X-rays, do an ultrasound or perform a CT scan of your face and neck. 

Smaller stones can be gently pushed or massaged out of the duct. Larger stones that are visible a dentist to use a local anesthetic to remove them via a tiny incision. Larger stones that aren’t visible might require a doctor to locate them with a tiny lighted scope and remove them with a minute instrument. In the best-case scenario, your stones are small enough that your dentist can give you some at-home remedies.

Fort Street Dentistry has a well-established reputation for providing high-quality care and compassionate service. Experienced in treating patients of all ages, we are an excellent one-stop solution for the oral healthcare needs of your whole family. New patients are always welcome to our state-of-the-art facility, your resource for the best in modern dentistry. Please call us today for an appointment.