Salivary Gland Stones: A Comprehensive Guide
Medically reviewed by Andre Stone | MD, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine on April 8th, 2026.
Published on April 8th, 2026. Updated on August 24th, 2026.
Key Takeaways
Salivary gland stones form when minerals build up in the ducts that carry saliva to your mouth
The submandibular gland under the jaw is most commonly affected, followed by the parotid gland
Symptoms include pain and swelling that gets worse when eating or drinking
Most stones can be treated without surgery using conservative methods like massage and hydration
Small stones may pass on their own, while larger stones might need medical removal
Overview
Salivary gland stones, also called sialolithiasis, are small mineral deposits that form inside the ducts of your salivary glands. These glands make saliva to help you digest food and keep your mouth healthy. When stones block the flow of saliva, it causes pain and swelling.
This condition affects about 1 in 10,000 people each year. Men are twice as likely to develop salivary stones as women. The condition most often affects adults between 30 and 60 years old, though it can happen at any age.
Most salivary stones form in the submandibular gland, which sits under your jaw. About 80% of cases involve this gland. The parotid gland near your ear is the second most common location. Salivary stones are usually treatable, but an untreated blockage can sometimes lead to infection, an abscess, or damage to the affected gland.
Not drinking enough fluid may contribute to thicker saliva, but the causes of salivary stones are not fully understood. They happen more often in people who already have other problems with their salivary glands. The good news is that most people get better quickly once they start treatment.
Symptoms & Signs
Salivary gland stones cause symptoms that typically come and go. The pain and swelling often get worse when you eat or drink because your mouth produces more saliva at these times.
Primary Symptoms
Pain and swelling in the affected gland that increases during meals
Dry mouth or reduced saliva flow on one side
Bad taste in your mouth from reduced saliva production
Difficulty opening your mouth when swelling is severe
Visible lump under your jaw or near your ear that may feel hard
When to Seek Care
You should see a healthcare provider if you have persistent pain or swelling in your salivary glands. Get medical attention sooner if the swelling spreads to your neck or if you develop a fever, as these could indicate infection. Some people also notice that the pain goes away and comes back, which can happen when a stone partially blocks the duct and then moves slightly. If you can see or feel a hard bump in your mouth that doesn't go away in a few days, this is another good reason to call your doctor.
When to Seek Immediate Care
Seek urgent medical care for severe or rapidly worsening swelling, difficulty swallowing, fever, or chills. Call emergency services if you have trouble breathing, cannot swallow saliva, or develop rapidly spreading neck swelling.
Causes & Risk Factors
Salivary stones form when calcium and other minerals crystallize in your saliva ducts. Several factors can increase the likelihood of stone formation.
Dehydration may reduce saliva flow and could contribute to stone formation, but salivary stones often develop without a single identifiable cause. This thick saliva moves more slowly through the ducts, giving minerals time to settle and form stones. Good oral hygiene supports oral health and may help reduce infection risk, although it is not clear that poor oral hygiene directly causes salivary stones. Understanding allergies symptoms, causes, and management options can help you identify if allergic reactions are affecting your saliva production.
Certain medications that reduce saliva production can increase your risk. Some medical conditions that affect your immune system may also make stones more likely to form. Illnesses that make you lose a lot of fluids, like vomiting or diarrhea, can also lead to salivary stones. Researchers have not established a clear inherited cause for most salivary stones.
Age
Most common in adults 30-60 years old
Genetics
Family history may increase risk
Lifestyle
Dehydration and factors that reduce saliva production, such as smoking
Other Conditions
Gout, kidney stones, certain medications
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Diagnosis
Your healthcare provider will start by asking about your symptoms and examining your mouth and neck. They will feel for swelling and may try to express saliva from the affected gland.
Medical History & Physical Examination
During the exam, your provider will ask when your symptoms started and what makes them better or worse. They will check both sides of your mouth and neck to compare. The provider may gently massage the gland to see if they can feel a stone or if saliva flows normally. They will also look inside your mouth for signs of blockage or infection.
Diagnostic Testing
Ultrasound to see the stone and check for blockages in the duct
CT scan to get detailed images of larger stones and surrounding tissue
Sialography using contrast dye to map the salivary ducts and locate blockages
MRI in some cases to get clearer images of soft tissue around the glands
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Treatment Options
Treatment aims to remove the blockage and restore normal saliva flow. Most cases can be managed without surgery using simple techniques.
Conservative Treatments
Hydration therapy by drinking extra water to thin your saliva and help flush out small stones
Warm compresses applied to the outside of the affected gland to reduce swelling and encourage saliva flow
Gland massage performed several times daily to help move stones through the duct naturally
Sialogogues like sour candies or lemon drops that stimulate saliva production and flow
Advanced Treatments
Lithotripsy using shock waves to break up larger stones into smaller pieces that can pass naturally
Endoscopic removal where a tiny scope is used to locate and remove stones through the natural duct opening
Surgical removal for very large stones or when other treatments fail, though this is rarely needed
Most people feel better within one to two weeks of starting conservative treatment. Your doctor may give you antibiotics if an infection develops. Pain medication can help keep you comfortable while the stone moves or is being removed.
Living with the Condition
Most people recover completely from salivary stones with proper treatment. The key is maintaining good habits to prevent new stones from forming.
Daily Management Strategies
Drink enough fluid to stay hydrated unless a healthcare professional has told you to limit fluids because of a medical condition. Practice good oral hygiene by brushing twice daily and using an antibacterial mouthwash. If your healthcare provider recommends it, gentle gland massage may help move a small stone or improve saliva flow during an episode. Avoid medications that reduce saliva production when possible, and talk to your doctor about alternatives if needed. Pay regular attention to changes in your salivary gland symptoms.
Keep track of when your symptoms get better or worse to help your doctor monitor your progress. Many people find it helpful to eat soft foods while recovering from salivary stones. Avoiding very hot foods and drinks can also reduce pain during the healing process.
Exercise & Movement
Regular physical activity supports general health, but specific neck exercises have not been shown to prevent salivary stones.
Prevention
Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your saliva thin and flowing
Maintain excellent oral hygiene with regular brushing, flossing, and mouthwash use
Stimulate saliva flow by chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candies
Avoid smoking as it reduces saliva production and increases infection risk
Keep a water bottle with you so you can drink water throughout the day. Staying adequately hydrated may help maintain saliva flow, although no strategy can guarantee that stones will not return. Moderate amounts of coffee and other caffeinated drinks do not necessarily cause dehydration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Salivary stones can return, even with good hydration and oral hygiene. These habits support oral health, but it is unclear how much they reduce recurrence.
Small stones may pass within a few days to weeks with proper hydration and massage. Larger stones typically need medical treatment to be removed.
How are salivary stones related to kidney stones? While both involve mineral deposits, they form in different parts of the body. Having one type does not necessarily mean you will develop the other.
Salivary stones are uncommon in children but can occur. The treatment approach is similar to adults, focusing on hydration and conservative management when possible.
Most salivary stones can be treated without surgery. Only large stones or those that don't respond to conservative treatment may require surgical removal.
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