Salivary Gland Stones: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Editorially reviewed by the Dental.me Editorial Team · Updated July 2026

If you have noticed a painful lump under your jaw that swells up right before or during a meal and then settles down again afterward, there is a good chance a salivary gland stone is to blame. These small, hard deposits are a common and usually manageable problem. Understanding how they form and what helps can take a lot of the worry out of the experience, and often lets you clear a small stone at home before it becomes a bigger issue.

What Are Salivary Gland Stones?

Salivary gland stones, known medically as sialolithiasis, are small calcified deposits that form inside a salivary gland or the duct that drains it. They are made mostly of calcium salts that gradually build up out of the minerals naturally present in saliva. As a stone grows, it can partly or fully block the flow of saliva out of the gland.

When saliva cannot get past the blockage, it backs up behind the stone. That backup is what produces the classic swelling and pressure. Stones range from tiny grains to larger pieces the size of a small pea, and it is possible to have more than one at a time. Most are not dangerous, but they can be uncomfortable and, if left blocked, can lead to infection.

Where They Form and Why

You have three major pairs of salivary glands. The submandibular glands sit under the jaw, the parotid glands sit in the cheeks in front of the ears, and the sublingual glands sit under the tongue. Stones are by far most common in the submandibular gland.

There is a good reason for that pattern. Submandibular saliva is thicker and richer in minerals, and its duct runs uphill toward the floor of the mouth, so saliva has to work against gravity to drain. That combination makes it easier for minerals to settle and harden. The parotid gland is the next most common site, while stones in the sublingual and minor glands are uncommon.

Symptoms: The Mealtime Clue

The most telling sign of a salivary gland stone is pain and swelling that flares around meals. When you see, smell, or taste food, your glands are stimulated to produce saliva. If a stone is blocking the duct, that fresh saliva has nowhere to go, so pressure builds and the area under your jaw or in your cheek swells and aches. Once the meal is over and saliva production slows, the swelling usually eases over the next hour or two.

Other symptoms can include:

• A firm lump you can feel under the jaw, in the cheek, or in the floor of the mouth
• A dry mouth or reduced saliva on the affected side
• Trouble fully opening the mouth when the swelling is at its worst
• A sore or tender area in the floor of the mouth near the duct opening

If the blocked gland becomes infected, symptoms change and intensify. Watch for steadily increasing pain, redness and warmth over the gland, fever, pus draining into the mouth, and a persistent bad taste in the mouth. An infected gland needs prompt attention rather than watchful waiting.

What Causes Salivary Gland Stones

Stones form when saliva becomes concentrated and its flow slows down, giving minerals a chance to settle and harden. Several things can tip the balance in that direction:

• Dehydration. Not drinking enough fluid makes saliva thicker and more mineral-rich.
• Reduced saliva flow. Anything that slows saliva, including some illnesses and gland conditions, raises the risk.
• Medications that dry the mouth. Diuretics, certain blood-pressure drugs, and some allergy and other medications reduce saliva and can contribute.
• Gout. This condition can produce stones made of uric acid rather than calcium.
• Poor oral intake or eating little. Less chewing means less saliva stimulation and flushing.
• Trauma or gland disease. Injury to a duct or ongoing inflammation can create conditions where stones form.

Because dry mouth is such a common thread, working on saliva flow is a sensible first step. Our guide to practical dry mouth remedies covers habits that keep saliva moving.

How They Are Diagnosed

A dentist or doctor can often diagnose a salivary gland stone from your description alone, especially the mealtime pattern. During the exam, they will feel along the floor of the mouth and the gland, sometimes with a gloved finger, because a stone near the duct opening can often be felt directly.

If the stone cannot be felt or the picture is unclear, imaging helps confirm it and shows the size and location. Common options include a dental or plain X-ray, an ultrasound, a CT scan for smaller or deeper stones, or sialography, a special X-ray taken after a dye is introduced into the duct to map the blockage. The right test depends on the suspected location and what treatment is being considered.

Treatment: From Home Care to Removal

Many small stones can be coaxed out with simple, conservative measures. If there is no sign of infection, it is reasonable to try these first for a few days:

• Stay well hydrated. Drinking plenty of water thins saliva and encourages flow.
• Stimulate saliva. Sucking on sour, sugar-free sweets such as lemon drops, or on citrus, triggers a strong flow of saliva that can help flush a small stone toward the opening.
• Massage the gland. Gently press and stroke from behind the gland forward toward the duct to help move the stone along.
• Use warm compresses. Warmth over the gland eases discomfort and can relax the duct.
• Keep up good oral hygiene. Clean teeth and gums lower the risk of infection while the stone works its way out.

When a stone does not pass on its own, several professional options exist, and a dentist, ENT specialist, or oral surgeon can advise which fits. They may be able to milk or gently push the stone out through the duct opening. Sialendoscopy uses a very fine scope threaded into the duct to locate and remove the stone with minimal disruption. Shock-wave lithotripsy can break a larger stone into fragments small enough to pass. For a stubborn stone, or a gland that has been repeatedly blocked and affected, surgery to remove the stone or, rarely, the gland itself may be recommended. Any infection is treated with antibiotics, usually alongside efforts to relieve the blockage.

Prevention, Red Flags, and When to See Someone

Preventing stones comes down to keeping saliva flowing freely. Drink water throughout the day, use sugar-free sour sweets or gum to encourage saliva, and practice good daily oral care. If you take a medication that dries your mouth, do not stop it on your own, but do ask your doctor whether the dose or timing can be adjusted or whether a substitute is available.

See a dentist or doctor if a lump or swelling does not settle within a week, keeps coming back, or is clearly getting worse. Some warning signs point to a possible infection and deserve prompt care rather than a wait-and-see approach. These overlap with what many people would consider a dental emergency, so do not sit on them:

• Fever alongside a swollen, tender gland
• Spreading redness or swelling in the jaw, cheek, or neck
• Severe or rapidly worsening pain
• Pus draining into the mouth or a foul taste
• Any difficulty swallowing or breathing, which needs urgent care

The reassuring takeaway is that most salivary gland stones are small and manageable. Swelling under the jaw that worsens at mealtimes is the classic clue, staying hydrated and keeping saliva flowing often clears a small stone at home, and stones that persist or become infected can be removed with modern, minimally invasive treatments. When in doubt, a quick visit to a dentist or doctor is the surest way to settle things.

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