An infection of the salivary gland occurs when a bacterial or viral infection affects your salivary gland or duct. The cause can be reduced saliva flow, which happens due to a blockage or inflammation of your salivary duct. The condition is called sialadenitis.
Saliva aids digestion, breaks down food, and works to keep your mouth clean. It washes away bacteria and food particles. It also helps control the amount of good and bad bacteria in your mouth. Fewer bacteria and food particles are washed away when saliva doesn’t freely travel throughout your mouth. This may lead to infection.
You have three pairs of large (major) salivary glands. They’re located on each side of your face. Parotid glands, which are the largest, are inside each cheek. They sit above your jaw in front of your ears. When one or more of these glands is infected, it’s called parotitis.
A salivary gland infection is typically caused by a bacterial infection. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of salivary gland infection. Others causes of salivary gland infection include:
- Streptococcus viridans
- Haemophilus influenzae
- Streptococcus pyogenes
- Escherichia coli
These infections result from reduced saliva production. This is often caused by the blockage or inflammation of the salivary gland duct. Viruses and other medical conditions can also reduce saliva production, including:
- mumps, a contagious viral infection that’s common among children who haven’t been immunized
- HIV
- influenza A and parainfluenza types I and II
- herpes
- a salivary stone
- a salivary duct blocked by mucus
- a tumor
- Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune condition that causes dry mouth
- sarcoidosis, a condition in which patches of inflammation occur throughout the body
- dehydration
- malnutrition
- radiation cancer treatment of the head and neck
- inadequate oral hygiene
The following factors can make you more susceptible to a salivary gland infection:
- being over age 65
- having inadequate oral hygiene
- not being immunized against mumps
The following chronic conditions also can increase your risk of developing an infection:
- HIV
- AIDS
- Sjogren’s syndrome
- diabetes
- malnutrition
- alcoholism
- bulimia
- xerostomia, or dry mouth syndrome
The following list of symptoms may indicate a salivary gland infection. You should consult your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. Symptoms of a salivary gland infection can mimic those of other conditions. Symptoms include:
- a constant abnormal or foul taste in your mouth
- inability to fully open your mouth
- discomfort or pain when opening your mouth or eating
- pus in your mouth
- dry mouth
- pain in your mouth
- face pain
- redness or swelling over your jaw in front of your ears, below your jaw, or on the bottom of your mouth
- swelling of your face or neck
- signs of infection, such as fever or chills
Contact your doctor immediately if you have a salivary gland infection and experience a high fever, trouble breathing or swallowing, or worsening symptoms. Your symptoms may require emergency treatment.
Salivary gland infection complications are uncommon. If a salivary gland infection is left untreated, pus can collect and form an abscess in the salivary gland.
A salivary gland infection caused by a benign tumor may cause an enlargement of the glands. Malignant (cancerous) tumors can grow quickly and cause loss of movement in the affected side of the face. This can impair part or all of the area.
In cases where parotitis happens again, severe swelling of the neck can destroy the affected glands.
You may also have complications if the initial bacterial infection spreads from the salivary gland to other parts of the body. This can include a bacterial skin infection called cellulitis or Ludwig’s angina, which is a form of cellulitis that occurs in the bottom of the mouth.
Your doctor can diagnose a salivary gland infection with a visual exam. Pus or pain at the affected gland can indicate a bacterial infection.
If your doctor suspects a salivary gland infection, you may have additional testing to confirm the diagnosis and determine the underlying cause. The following imaging tests can be used to further analyze a salivary gland infection caused by an abscess, salivary stone, or tumor:
- ultrasound
- MRI scan
- CT scan
Your doctor may also perform a biopsy of the affected salivary glands and ducts to test tissue or fluid for bacteria or viruses.
Treatment depends on the severity of the infection, the underlying cause, and any additional symptoms you have, such as swelling or pain.
Antibiotics may be used to treat a bacterial infection, pus, or fever. A fine needle aspiration may be used to drain an abscess.
Home treatments include:
- drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water daily with lemon to stimulate saliva and keep glands clear
- massaging the affected gland
- applying warm compresses to the affected gland
- rinsing your mouth with warm salt water
- sucking on sour lemons or sugar-free lemon candy to encourage saliva flow and reduce swelling
Most salivary gland infections don’t require surgery. However, it may be necessary in cases of chronic or recurring infections. Though uncommon, surgical treatment may involve removal of part or all of the parotid salivary gland or removal of the submandibular salivary gland.
There’s no way to prevent most salivary gland infections. The best way to reduce your risk of developing an infection is to drink plenty of fluids and practice good oral hygiene. This includes brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily.