Salivary Gland Infection/Recovery Questions and Concerns

OK, I went to the ENT 10 days ago and was given a diagnosis of submandibular gland infection with a likely presence of a stone(s).

The condition come on quickly and painfully and after two weeks I went to the ENT. The symptoms were classic with regard to stone or blockage of the salivary duct. It was swollen pretty much all day and although I could feel its presence, it wasn’t extremely painful…until I ate. Then it was horrible. It swelled and was unbearable. The ENT gave me keflex as an antibiotic and it reduced the swelling substantially and eventually the pain when eating went away, other than general pressure. The pressure is likely due to continual swelling of the gland, which I can now feel after the overall swelling reduced. The swelling under my jaw is still visible but not nearly like it was. So there has been marked improvement.

However, I am scheduled to go back in 10 days for a check-up, but I’m concerned that despite the pain being gone and the issue seemingly improving, that the gland itself is overly firm. It’s still somewhat tender but it feels really hard. I think it could have been this hard all along but the swelling of the gland and the immediate area was so large that I don’t think I was actually feeling the gland before. But now with this residual swelling going down, I can feel it and it seems hard. It’s about the size of a walnut or so.

The other issue is that prior to going to the ENT, I could feel a small painful bump on the floor of my mouth in the back under my molars. It was very painful and a sharp pain. The ENT felt it during his exam and I mentioned that I found it too after he pulled his fingers out of my mouth and he said “that’s where I’m going” when he got out to tongue depressors. After seeing it examining it, he made that diagnosis of a stone and infection. However, I can still feel that bump, although its smaller and less painful. If I put my finger on it inside my mouth and then use my other hand to move the gland around, it moves with the gland so it’s obviously on the top of the gland (top being the mouth side). Because I don’t know the exact anatomy of the gland, I’m unsure if it’s the stone and possible it’s stuck right in the opening of the duct as it exists the gland.

The bottomline is, I think things are getting better but the size and firmness of the gland and that slightly painful bump (it’s actually not like a bump but feels more like a raised flat spot) has me a little concerned.

From what I’ve read, when something shows improvement, that’s a good sign and maybe I should take it as such as not expect it to be completely gone in 10 days.

Any insight or ideas would be welcome.