Salivating hurts primarily when the salivary glands responsible for producing saliva are experiencing issues such as infection or blockage.
Pain associated with salivation or in the areas of the salivary glands indicates an underlying problem within the salivary system. According to the reference provided, infected or blocked salivary glands cause pain. This pain can be felt when producing saliva, eating, or even at rest, depending on the severity and nature of the condition.
Causes of Salivary Gland Pain
The most common reasons for pain related to salivating, as highlighted by the reference, are:
- Infection: Bacteria or viruses can infect the salivary glands, leading to inflammation and pain. This is often accompanied by swelling, fever, and redness.
- Blockage: Salivary ducts, which carry saliva from the glands to the mouth, can become blocked. This blockage is frequently caused by salivary stones (calculi), which are hard mineral deposits. When a duct is blocked, saliva backs up into the gland, causing swelling and significant pain, particularly when the gland is stimulated (like when thinking about or eating food).
Diagnosing and Treating the Cause
When experiencing pain when salivating or in the salivary gland area, it's important to seek medical attention to identify the specific cause. Diagnosis might involve:
- Measuring Saliva Flow: Checking how much saliva the glands are producing can help assess their function.
- Biopsy: Doctors may need to take a small sample of salivary gland tissue for examination under a microscope.
- Imaging Tests: X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs can help visualize the glands and ducts to look for blockages or other abnormalities.
Treatment depends on the diagnosis:
- For infections, antibiotics or antiviral medications may be prescribed.
- For blockages, sometimes stones or other obstructions in the ducts can be removed.
- In cases where saliva production is severely impaired or the glands are not functioning correctly long-term, some people need to use saliva substitutes to keep their mouths moist and comfortable.
Understanding that the pain comes from a condition affecting the glands or ducts, rather than the salivation process itself, is key. Salivation exacerbates the pain because it puts pressure on the compromised system.
