swollen salivary glands under the mandible

[girlworrier]

Hi,

In  Feb/08, I had a root canal done by a new dentist. This was on 2 teeth  my right (30,31) and 3 teeth on my left (17,18,19). About 3 weeks after, I developed swollen glands. I went back to the dentist who told me that it could be due to a viral infection – for all it is, I even got tested for HIV – results were neg. I had an ultra sound done that confirmed it was my lymph nodes but my salivary glands under my mandible. They have been swollen for 5 months now and sometimes they get irritated when I eat spicy food. Can someone please tell me what to do? I think my physician is tired of seeing me always talking about something that my dentist should fix. Is this something a dentist can fix? I have always been in perfect health until this and rarely catch cold/flu even when people around me are sick so it couldn’t have been from these infections. I have been put on antibiotics twice but no change.

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

I would recommend seeing an oral surgeon for a proper diagnosis of the area.  If it is indeed a swollen salivary gland, its possible that it is blocked but something and its causing a buildup of saliva in your gland.  This is usually irritated by eating (since you create more saliva when you're about to eat) and can cause more swelling and buildup in the gland since it can't escape.  Usually a little surgery to open up the duct leading to the gland can fix the problem.

I don't imagine that the blockage of a salivary gland has anything to do with your fillings.

Let me know how it goes.  Hope that helps.

[girlworrier]

correction, it was NOT root canals that were done but rather I had FILLINGS on those teeth done. Also, he used composite filling, which I had used before on tooth 19 - from about 12 years ago. I am 28 year female and don't have dental issues - never worn braces or anything, floss daily and brush morning and night. Not sure how this came about :(