Painful swelling under the jaw or in front of the ear that appears when you eat is a classic sign of a blocked salivary gland.
What causes it?
Saliva flows from the glands into the mouth through small ducts. A stone (sialolith), narrowing or kink in a duct can block flow, so the gland swells when it is stimulated by food.
Symptoms
Swelling and pain at mealtimes
A bad taste in the mouth
Repeated gland infections
Dry mouth
Diagnosis
An ENT specialist will examine the glands and may arrange an ultrasound or other imaging.
Treatment
Hydration, gland massage and sour sweets to stimulate saliva flow
Treatment of infection
Sialendoscopy: a tiny camera passed into the duct through the mouth to find and remove stones or open narrowings
Gland removal in selected cases
Sialendoscopy is minimally invasive and often allows the gland to be preserved. Learn more on our Salivary Problems & Sialendoscopy page.
See an ENT specialist in Palmerston North
ENT Central is at 187 Broadway Avenue, Palmerston North. You can be referred by your GP or contact us directly. Call 0800 ENT DOC (368 362) or book an appointment online.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for a medical assessment. If you have severe or sudden symptoms, contact your GP, call Healthline on 0800 611 116, or in an emergency call 111.
