Salivary Gland Disorders in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What are salivary gland disorders?
Salivary gland disorders are conditions that affect how the salivary glands make saliva or how saliva drains into the mouth. There are three pairs of major glands: the parotid glands in front of each ear, the submandibular glands under the jaw, and the small sublingual glands beneath the tongue. Hundreds of tiny glands also line the mouth and throat. Each major gland empties through a narrow duct that opens inside the cheek or under the tongue.
Most salivary problems fall into a few groups:
| Problem | Typical sign |
|---|---|
| Salivary stone (sialolithiasis) | Swelling and pain under the jaw at mealtimes |
| Bacterial infection (sialadenitis) | A hot, tender, swollen gland, often with a salty or foul taste |
| Viral infection, such as mumps | Swelling of both parotid glands with fever |
| Recurring swelling in children | Repeated parotid swelling that settles between episodes |
| Dry mouth | Reduced saliva, often linked to medicines or an immune condition |
| Lump in a gland | A painless swelling that stays or slowly grows |
A fact few people know: most salivary stones form in the submandibular gland under the jaw. Its saliva is thicker, and its duct runs upwards to the floor of the mouth, so saliva moves against gravity and small crystals settle more easily. At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, the ENT surgeon assesses and treats these conditions, and this page covers diagnosis and non-surgical care. The operations on the glands are described on the salivary gland surgery page.
Who needs it
Book an assessment if you notice any of these:
- Swelling under the jaw or in front of the ear that comes on when you eat and eases afterwards
- A gland that is painful, red or hot, especially with fever or a bad taste in the mouth
- Pus or gritty material coming from a duct opening inside the mouth
- Repeated swelling of the cheek in a child
- A persistently dry mouth, difficulty swallowing dry food, or frequent dental decay
- A lump in the cheek, in front of the ear or under the jaw that stays for more than a few weeks
Dehydration is one of the commonest triggers, because thick saliva flows slowly and allows bacteria and crystals to collect. Long hours outdoors in the UAE summer, fasting days in Ramadan, recent surgery and some medicines all make saliva thicker. A lump is always assessed in its own right, following the pathway on the neck lump assessment page.
What happens
Your ENT surgeon asks when the swelling appears, how long it lasts and how it relates to meals. The examination includes a careful look inside the mouth at each duct opening, gentle massage of the gland to see the saliva that comes out, and feeling the floor of the mouth with one finger inside and one outside to detect a stone along the duct.
Ultrasound is usually the first scan. It shows stones, a widened duct, signs of infection and the structure of any lump. Blood tests help when an infection or an immune condition is suspected, and a CT scan is added when the surgeon needs a clearer view of a stone or a deep gland. If a lump is found, a fine needle sample is taken under ultrasound, as set out on the ultrasound guided biopsy page.
Treatment is matched to the cause:
- Salivary stones: plenty of fluids, sour sweets to increase saliva flow, warm compresses and gland massage from back to front, which can help a small stone move forward; a stone near the duct opening can be removed through the mouth under local anaesthetic
- Bacterial sialadenitis: antibiotics, fluids, massage and pain relief, with drainage if an abscess forms
- Viral swelling: rest, fluids and pain relief while the infection runs its course
- Recurring swelling in children: hydration and massage during flare-ups, with review of the pattern over time
- Dry mouth: a review of medicines that reduce saliva, saliva substitutes, and dental protection
When stones return, infection keeps recurring or a lump needs removal, the surgeon discusses the options described on the salivary gland surgery page.
Preparing for it
Before your appointment, note when the swelling happens, how long it lasts and whether it follows meals. A photograph taken during a swelling is useful if it has settled by the time you are seen. Bring a full list of your medicines, since antihistamines, some blood pressure tablets, antidepressants and bladder medicines can all reduce saliva. Bring any earlier scan reports. A first appointment usually needs no fasting.
Afterwards
Most treatment continues at home. Drink water regularly through the day, and more in the Sharjah heat and in air-conditioned rooms. Sucking sugar-free sour sweets or lemon slices keeps saliva moving, and gentle massage of the gland towards the duct opening helps clear it. Brush twice daily and rinse after meals, because a clean mouth reduces the bacteria that reach the ducts. During Ramadan, drink steadily between iftar and suhoor. A follow-up visit, sometimes with a repeat ultrasound, confirms the gland has settled.
Contact the hospital if the swelling returns, if a gland becomes hot and painful, or if you develop a fever. **Go to the emergency department straight away if swelling spreads quickly into the neck or floor of the mouth, or you have difficulty opening your mouth, swallowing or breathing.**
Cost and insurance
Most UAE insurance plans cover ENT consultation, ultrasound and treatment of salivary gland infection or stones when there is a clinical reason. CT scans, needle biopsy and procedures usually need pre-approval. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you confirm your cover on 06 599 7777.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the risks of salivary gland disorders and their treatment?
Untreated salivary stones and infection can lead to repeated flare-ups, an abscess, or lasting damage to the gland. Treatment carries its own small risks, such as side effects from antibiotics, and a stone removed through the mouth can occasionally lead to scarring of the duct. Your ENT surgeon explains how these risks apply to you.
Can a salivary stone pass on its own?
A small salivary stone can pass on its own, especially with plenty of fluids, sour sweets and gland massage. Larger stones, or stones deep in the gland, usually need removal, and the ENT surgeon advises on the best approach.
Is a swollen salivary gland the same as mumps?
A swollen salivary gland is sometimes mumps, a viral infection that usually swells both parotid glands with fever. Swelling on one side is more often caused by a stone or a bacterial infection, and examination tells them apart.
Why does my jaw swell when I eat?
Swelling under the jaw at mealtimes is a classic sign of a blocked salivary duct, often from a stone. Eating triggers saliva, which builds up behind the blockage and stretches the gland until it slowly drains.
Can children get salivary gland problems?
Children can get salivary gland problems, including mumps and a condition of recurring parotid swelling that often improves as the child grows older. A child with repeated cheek swelling should be assessed by an ENT surgeon.
Is a lump in a salivary gland cancer?
Most lumps in the salivary glands are benign, particularly in the parotid gland. Any lump that stays should still be examined with ultrasound and often a needle sample, so its cause is known for certain.
When is surgery needed for a salivary gland disorder?
Surgery is considered for a salivary gland disorder when stones keep returning, infection recurs despite treatment, or a lump needs to be removed. Your surgeon explains the options, including duct procedures that keep the gland in place.
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