How do you get rid of swollen mouth glands?

September 23, 2025 •

4 min read

Approximately 1 in 10,000 Americans experience an acute salivary gland infection, a common cause of swollen glands in the mouth. Understanding the root cause is the first step toward effective relief, as treatments can range from simple at-home care to necessary medical intervention for a lasting solution to how do you get rid of swollen mouth glands.

Quick Summary

Relieving swollen mouth glands often starts with increasing saliva flow through hydration and sour lozenges, applying warm compresses, and maintaining excellent oral hygiene to prevent further infection. For persistent swelling or signs of infection, medical evaluation is necessary to rule out complications like salivary stones or bacterial infections that require specific treatment.

Key Points

Hydrate to Stimulate Saliva: Drink plenty of water and use sour, sugar-free candies to increase saliva flow, which can help clear blocked glands.
Apply Warm Compresses: Use a warm, moist cloth on the affected area to reduce pain and inflammation.
Maintain Oral Hygiene: Brush and floss regularly to prevent infection from spreading and support healing.
Know When to See a Doctor: Seek professional medical advice if swelling is accompanied by a high fever, extreme pain, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Consider Medical Treatments for Severe Cases: Persistent or bacterial-induced swelling may require antibiotics, sialendoscopy, or in rare instances, surgery.
Prevent with Good Habits: Stay hydrated, avoid smoking, and practice good oral hygiene to reduce the risk of future issues.

Understanding the Causes of Swollen Mouth Glands

Before addressing the treatment, it's crucial to understand why your mouth glands might be swollen. The major salivary glands—the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual—can swell for several reasons. The most common cause is sialadenitis, an infection of the salivary gland. This can be caused by bacteria, often due to a blockage in the salivary duct, or a viral infection like mumps.

Common Reasons for Gland Swelling

Salivary Stones (Sialolithiasis): Mineral deposits can form in the salivary ducts, blocking the flow of saliva and causing swelling and pain, especially during meals.
Viral Infections: Viruses like mumps, influenza, and Epstein-Barr can cause inflammation of the salivary glands.
Bacterial Infections: These can occur when a duct is blocked or in individuals with poor oral hygiene. Staphylococcus aureus is a common culprit.
Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions such as Sjögren's syndrome, which causes dry mouth and eyes, can also lead to salivary gland swelling.
Other Causes: Dehydration, tumors, poor nutrition, and chronic illnesses can also play a role in persistent gland swelling.

At-Home Remedies for Relief

For mild, non-bacterial cases of swollen mouth glands, several at-home strategies can provide significant relief. These are aimed at stimulating saliva flow, reducing inflammation, and maintaining cleanliness in the mouth.

Hydration and Saliva Stimulation

Increase Fluid Intake: Drinking plenty of water is essential. Dehydration can thicken saliva, making it easier for blockages to form. Staying hydrated helps maintain a healthy saliva flow.
Use Sour Lozenges or Lemon: Sucking on sugar-free lemon drops or other sour candies stimulates saliva production, which can help clear blocked ducts. Adding a slice of lemon to your water is also effective.
Massage the Gland: Gently massaging the area around the swollen gland can help encourage saliva to flow and potentially dislodge a small stone. Use clean hands and apply moderate pressure.

Heat and Hygiene

Warm Compresses: Applying a warm, moist cloth to the affected area can help reduce swelling and soothe pain.
Warm Saltwater Rinses: Rinsing your mouth with a warm saltwater solution (1/2 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of water) multiple times a day helps soothe the area and promote healing.
Maintain Excellent Oral Hygiene: Brushing and flossing regularly is crucial to prevent the infection from worsening or spreading. Good hygiene supports overall oral health and reduces bacteria buildup.

Medical Treatments and When to See a Doctor

While home care is often sufficient, there are times when medical intervention is necessary. You should see a doctor if your symptoms are severe, don't improve, or worsen over a few days.

When to Seek Medical Attention

High Fever or Chills: These can indicate a significant infection.
Difficulty Swallowing or Breathing: This is a serious symptom that requires immediate medical help.
Persistent Swelling: If the swelling doesn't go down with home care, a blockage may be present.
Extreme Pain: Severe pain could signal a worsening infection or a larger stone.

Professional Medical Treatments

Antibiotics: If the swelling is caused by a bacterial infection, a doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics.
Sialendoscopy: This minimally invasive procedure uses a small, lighted tube to examine the salivary ducts and can be used to remove stones or treat blockages.
Surgery: In rare, severe cases of recurring blockages or large tumors, surgery may be necessary to remove the salivary gland.

Comparison of At-Home and Medical Treatments


Aspect	At-Home Remedies	Medical Treatments
Effectiveness	Highly effective for mild, non-bacterial cases and symptomatic relief.	Essential for moderate to severe infections, persistent blockages, and complex underlying conditions.
Risks	Minimal risk, primarily if an underlying issue is misdiagnosed or left untreated.	Risks associated with specific procedures (e.g., surgery) or medication side effects.
Cost	Low cost, uses common household items.	Varies significantly based on required procedure and insurance coverage.
Application	Self-administered and easy to perform.	Requires professional diagnosis and supervised treatment.
Best For	Early-stage swelling, symptomatic relief, and minor blockages.	Persistent symptoms, fever, large stones, or other serious conditions.

Prevention and Long-Term Strategies

Preventing swollen glands often involves a focus on long-term health and hydration. For instance, individuals prone to salivary stones may benefit from consistently stimulating saliva flow and maintaining excellent hydration.

Avoid Smoking: Smoking is known to increase the risk of salivary gland infections and other oral health issues.
Good Oral Hygiene: A clean mouth environment reduces the amount of bacteria that can travel to the salivary glands.
Stay Hydrated: Consistent fluid intake throughout the day is one of the simplest and most effective preventative measures.
Regular Dental Checkups: Routine visits can help identify early signs of oral health problems that could impact your salivary glands.

Conclusion: How to Effectively Address Swollen Glands

Successfully addressing swollen mouth glands depends on correctly identifying the cause. While many cases can be effectively managed with simple at-home techniques like hydration, warm compresses, and massage, others require prompt medical attention. For severe or persistent symptoms, consulting a healthcare professional is crucial to rule out more serious conditions and receive appropriate treatment. By combining proactive health measures with professional guidance when needed, you can effectively manage and prevent discomfort from swollen glands.

For more in-depth information on the anatomy and function of salivary glands, refer to authoritative medical sources, such as the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

The fastest way to find relief is often to use a combination of warm compresses on the jaw and to stimulate saliva flow by drinking plenty of water and sucking on sugar-free lemon drops. If an infection is the cause, antibiotics from a doctor would be the fastest treatment.

You should be concerned and see a doctor if the swelling is accompanied by a high fever, chills, pus drainage, extreme pain, or difficulty breathing or swallowing. These can be signs of a serious infection.

Yes, dehydration can cause swollen mouth glands. When you are dehydrated, your saliva can become thicker and less able to flow freely, which can lead to blockages and swelling in the salivary glands.

While often caused by common infections or blockages, swollen mouth glands can sometimes be a symptom of more serious conditions, such as tumors or autoimmune diseases. If the swelling is persistent or accompanied by severe symptoms, it's important to be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

The time it takes for a swollen gland to go down varies. For mild cases treated with home remedies, swelling may decrease within a few days. If a bacterial infection is the cause, improvement should be seen within a few days of starting antibiotics. Persistent swelling requires professional evaluation.

Yes, gently massaging the affected gland with clean hands can help stimulate saliva flow and may help dislodge small blockages that cause swelling. Apply gentle, upward strokes from the jawline towards the cheek.

An infection often presents with fever, redness, and pus drainage, in addition to swelling. Salivary stones typically cause pain and swelling that worsens during or after eating and may subside between meals. A doctor can properly diagnose the cause.