Diagnosis & Surgery For Salivary Gland Disease
There are three main pairs of salivary glands in the head and neck, plus many very small minor glands lining the mouth. The major glands are called the Parotid glands (the ones you get mumps affecting), Submandibular glands (situated underneath the jaw) and Sublingual glands (under the tongue).
You can get diseases affect all of these and they may range from a lump or tumour to blockage and infection due to stones which can affect the glands.
To you may these conditions usually present as pain, swelling or a bad taste within the mouth.
On rare occasions lumps within the parotid gland or another gland may be due to a cancer. Symptoms such as rapid growth or onset of weakness of the facial muscles that make you smile and frown with should prompt you to seek a specialist opinion.
It is very important that you are assessed by a specialist such as an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, who is familiar with salivary gland diseases and can arrange appropriate investigation and treatment.
If surgery is required your specialist will explain fully the risks and benefits. Again surgery should be carried out by an experienced surgeon who operates in this area frequently.