Salivary Gland Treatment & Surgery | Harley Street Clinic

Maintaining Health

Our salivary glands produce key lubricants and enzymes, to help with swallowing, digestion, and to protect our teeth and gums from infection.

There are three major glands, the sublingual, submandibular and parotid, along with many minor glands and ducts that form a complex system. When these are not working correctly they can produce unpleasant and debilitating symptoms.

Swelling, or redness inside, or outside your mouth may arise, along with a dry, or painful mouth. You could experience an unpleasant taste, unwanted pus, or discomfort when eating and swallowing. A fever is also possible.

Whilst rare, the salivary glands can develop tumorous growths including cancer. More often such growths are benign. Infections, cysts, or salivary gland stones are quite common and require treatment.

Accurate Diagnosis

Salivary stones

Salivary stones (sialoliths) are a build-up of crystallized saliva deposits that block the salivary glands and create swelling and/or infection until cleared.

Viral Infections

Viral infections such as mumps, or flu and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or cytomegalovirus (CMV), or a range of autoimmune diseases, such as Sjögren’s syndrome. can cause salivary gland swelling

Cysts & Growths

Cysts and growths, such as pleomorphic adenomas or Warthin’s tumors, can affect the salivary glands. Bacterial infections may both cause and result from gland swelling. Any condition that disrupts salivary gland function can be debilitating and requires a thorough approach, including symptom evaluation, imaging, and diagnostic tests, to develop a personalised treatment plan for each patient.

This is why at the Harley Street Maxillofacial clinic we ensure you see an experienced consultant who will help identify a specific cause and have the knowledge to work through a full range of treatments.

They will also discuss your medical history and your condition with you, how you feel and lifestyle elements. Dehydration, or dietary choices can have an influence on salivary glands and on dealing with bacterial infection.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on each individual diagnosis. An unusual serious issue, such as salivary gland cancer, could require immediate surgery and radiotherapy. A simple infection may only require a course of antibiotics.

Salivary gland stones, or similar blockages, may need the stones to be broken down or manually removed, possibly with the individual glands. Needle aspiration or surgery may be needed to treat cysts or a range of growths.

Many cases can be treated as a day case procedure and under a local anaesthetic and sedation. Occasionally our specialists will recommend a general anaesthetic and an overnight stay in one of our adjacent specialist hospitals.

Learn more about how salivary glands work and interact.

Care At Our London Clinic

We begin your treatment by fully understanding your condition and personal preferences. Everything will be discussed with you in detail and clearly explained.

If surgery is needed, a top maxillofacial consultant will perform the procedure. This can take place at our day surgery facility or at a high-quality private hospital in London, where we have established partnerships.

Our team understands the challenges that come with salivary gland problems and is here to support you. Please feel free to reach out to discuss the personalised care we can provide.