Salivary Gland Stones: Causes, Symptoms, and Removal Options
Updated: 3 days ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Answer: What are salivary gland stones?
Salivary gland stones are hardened mineral deposits that block the ducts of the glands that make saliva. [1] The classic sign is sudden, intense pain and swelling under the jaw or in the neck during meals. [1] Many stones respond to warm compresses, massage, fluids and sour foods, while larger ones may need professional removal. Early care helps prevent gland infection.
What the research says
Most stones are in the submandibular gland, and some risk factors stand out. In a US series of 153 patients with sialolithiasis, 82% had submandibular stones and 18% parotid stones. 44% had a smoking history (higher than the general population, though not significantly), and 20% were taking diuretics compared with about 8.7% in the general population (Huoh & Eisele, Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 2011) [4].
Sialendoscopy removes most mid-sized stones and keeps the gland. A systematic review of 16 studies of laser-assisted lithotripsy with sialendoscopy (mean stone size 7.11 mm) reported success rates of 71% to 100% (mean 87.3%) and a gland preservation rate of 97% (Chiesa-Estomba et al., Ear Nose Throat J, 2021) [2].
Deep or large stones can sometimes be removed through the mouth. In a systematic review of 99 patients from nine studies, transoral robotic surgery for submandibular stones had a mean success rate of 94.97%. Temporary lingual nerve injury occurred in 28.3% of patients and resolved in all of them (mean 1.25 months), with no permanent nerve injury reported (Rogalska et al., J Clin Med, 2023) [3].
What Are Salivary Gland Stones?
Salivary gland stones, or sialolithiasis, are hardened mineral deposits that form in your salivary glands. [1] The stone traps saliva in the gland, causing swelling and pain. [1] Saliva plays an important role in chewing, digestion, and oral health.
Sialolithiasis can affect any salivary gland, but nearly all cases involve the submandibular gland, which sits below the jaw at the back of the mouth. [1]
What are the symptoms and risk factors for salivary gland stones?
Some stones are tiny, about the size of a sharp pencil point, and cause no symptoms. [1] A larger (pea-size) stone can cause sudden, intense pain when you eat, because eating stimulates saliva that cannot get past the blockage. [1]
Common Symptom | What You May Notice |
|---|---|
Mealtime pain | Sudden, intense pain and pressure when you eat. It usually lasts one to two hours, then fades until your next meal. [1] |
Swelling | Swelling under the jaw, in the neck, or around the ear. [1] |
Painful lump | A painful lump under the tongue. [1] |
Difficulty swallowing | A sense of blockage or pain when moving food. [1] |
Bitter taste | An unpleasant or bitter taste in the mouth. [1] |
Restricted movement | Trouble opening your mouth fully. [1] |
Anyone can develop a salivary stone, but it is most common in males ages 30 to 60. [1] Factors that may contribute include:
Some people develop stones even when there is no clear cause. [1] If saliva builds up behind a stone, the gland can become infected. [1]
How are salivary gland stones diagnosed?
Your provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history and check for lumps in your jaw and neck. [1] A stone you cannot feel may be found with imaging, such as a CT scan, MRI, X-ray, or a salivary gland scan. [1]
How are salivary gland stones treated and removed?
Treatment means removing the stone, and what is needed depends on its size and location. Many people start with self-care. [1]
Treatment | What It Involves |
|---|---|
Home care | Warm compresses on the sore area, gentle massage of the gland, plenty of fluids, and sucking on a lemon wedge or tart hard candy to trigger saliva that may push the stone out. |
Manual manipulation | A provider uses a special tool to press on the gland and loosen the stone so it moves out. [1] |
Sialendoscopy | A thin endoscope with tiny tools is inserted through the duct opening to break up and remove the stone. [1] It avoids large incisions. |
Surgical removal | For large or stubborn stones, the stone is removed through a small cut, or the whole gland is removed if stones keep coming back or cause severe symptoms. |
Sialendoscopy is highly effective and preserves the gland in most patients (Chiesa-Estomba et al., Ear Nose Throat J, 2021) [2]. Removing the stone usually cures the problem, but a new stone can form later, so tell your provider if symptoms come back. [1]
When should you seek care for salivary gland stones, and can they be prevented?
Talk to a healthcare provider if you have sudden, frequent, and intense pain, pressure, or swelling when you eat. [1] Seek urgent care if you develop fever, spreading redness or swelling, pus in your mouth, or trouble breathing or swallowing, which can be signs of infection.
You cannot always prevent stones, but staying hydrated and not smoking may lower your risk. If you keep getting stones, ask your provider whether any of your medicines, such as water pills, could be contributing.
Conclusion
Salivary gland stones are common and treatable. They are not usually serious, and many resolve with home care and plenty of fluids. If symptoms persist or keep returning, an evaluation can find the right removal method and help prevent infection.
What are the next steps if you have salivary gland stones?
If you have recurring pain or swelling in your jaw or neck during meals, do not ignore it. Schedule an appointment with an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist to discuss your diagnostic options and the removal method that is right for you.
Trusted resources: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sialolithiasis?
Sialolithiasis is the medical term for salivary gland stones, which are hardened mineral deposits that form in a salivary gland or its duct and trap saliva.
Are salivary stones dangerous?
Salivary stones are not usually serious, but without treatment the trapped saliva can lead to an infection of the gland. See a provider if you have sudden, frequent, or intense pain, pressure, or swelling when you eat.
Where do these stones usually form?
Nearly all form in the submandibular gland, below the jaw. In one US series of 153 patients, 82% were in the submandibular gland and 18% in the parotid gland.
Can I see a salivary stone?
Sometimes. A large stone can appear as a hard, pale lump under the tongue or near the opening of a duct, and it may feel like a painful lump.
Why does it hurt more when I eat?
Eating makes your glands produce saliva. If a stone blocks the duct, saliva builds up behind it and causes pressure and pain. Symptoms usually last one to two hours and ease until your next meal.
Who is most likely to get salivary stones?
Anyone can, but they are most common in males ages 30 to 60.
Can dehydration cause salivary stones?
Dehydration is one of the listed causes, along with water pills (diuretics), smoking, autoimmune diseases such as lupus or Sjögren’s syndrome, and past radiation therapy to the mouth area. Some people develop stones with no clear cause.
How are salivary stones diagnosed?
Your provider asks about symptoms and history, checks for lumps in the jaw and neck, and may order a CT scan, MRI, X-ray, or salivary gland scan.
Can sour candy really help?
Sour candy can. Sucking on a lemon wedge or tart hard candy makes your glands produce saliva, which may push a small stone out. Warm compresses and gentle massage can also help.
What is sialendoscopy?
A minimally invasive procedure in which a thin endoscope with tiny tools is inserted into the gland opening to break up and remove the stone.
Will I need surgery?
Not always. Surgery is usually reserved for large stones or stones that keep coming back. If stones recur or cause severe symptoms, removing the gland may be recommended.
What happens if the gland is removed?
You have several other salivary glands, so removing one typically does not greatly affect saliva production. Your surgeon can explain the risks for your case.
Are salivary stones the same as tonsil stones?
No. Tonsil stones form on the tonsils and tend to be soft, while salivary stones are hard mineral deposits inside salivary glands or ducts.
Can I prevent new stones?
Not always, but staying well hydrated and not smoking may lower your risk. Ask your provider about medicines such as water pills if you keep getting stones, and do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.
Which specialist treats this condition?
An otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat or ENT doctor).
Related Reading
Salivary Gland Scan (Parotid Scintigraphy): Uses and Results explains the nuclear scan that checks how well salivary glands work.
References
Cleveland Clinic. Salivary Gland Stones. Cleveland Clinic. December 15, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24344-sialolithiasis
Chiesa-Estomba CM, Saga-Gutierrez C, Calvo-Henriquez C, et al. Laser-assisted lithotripsy with sialendoscopy: systematic review of YO-IFOS Head and Neck Study Group. Ear Nose Throat J. 2021;100(1 suppl):42S-50S. PMID 32442031. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145561320926281
Rogalska M, Antkowiak L, Kasperczuk A, et al. Transoral robotic surgery in the management of submandibular gland sialoliths: a systematic review. J Clin Med. 2023;12(8):3007. PMID 37109343. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12083007
Huoh KC, Eisele DW. Etiologic factors in sialolithiasis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2011;145(6):935-939. PMID 21753035. https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599811415489
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider regarding any persistent pain, swelling, or unusual symptoms in the jaw or neck. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.
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