Self-care for salivary stones aims to help saliva flush out the stone and empty the gland. It consists of drinking water, applying heat, massaging the gland towards the mouth and stimulating saliva. This page explains how to do it at home, how often and when to stop. It complements the treatment of your salivary stone.

What is this care for?

It helps saliva flow more and nudges the stone towards the opening of the duct. For small, accessible stones, conservative treatment often works well. For large or deep stones it is not enough, and another procedure may be needed.

These are a supporting measure: they do not replace a medical assessment.

Before you start

Do them only if you have been diagnosed with a salivary stone.
Do not do them if you have a fever, severe pain, redness or pus: seek advice first.
Wash your hands and keep your nails short.
It is normal to notice more swelling at first, when stimulating saliva.

How to do it

Drink water through the day. Thick saliva encourages stones.
Apply moist heat: a warm towel on the jaw or cheek for 10-15 minutes.
Massage the gland with clean hands, gently and always towards the mouth, as if easing the saliva towards the opening of the duct. It should not hurt: if it does, ease off the pressure.
- Under the jaw (submandibular gland):
  1. Feel for the soft area under the edge of the jaw, to one side of the chin, where the swollen gland can be felt.
  2. Rest your thumb or the pads of your fingers there.
  3. Press gently and slide forwards, towards the chin, and on towards the floor of the mouth, in a slow, continuous movement lasting about 2-3 seconds.
  4. If it is comfortable, at the same time rest the index finger of your other (clean) hand under the tongue, beside the frenulum, and press upwards and forwards so that the gland is held between the two fingers.
- In the cheek (parotid gland):
  1. Rest the pads of your fingers on the cheek, just in front of the ear.
  2. Press gently and slide forwards, towards the corner of the mouth, as far as the level of the upper back teeth, where the duct opens.
- Repeat for 2-3 minutes, always in one direction (from the gland towards the mouth), without going back and forth.
Stimulate saliva: suck a sugar-free sharp-tasting sweet or a wedge of lemon, or have something sour.
Massage again while the saliva flows.
Look after your mouth: brush your teeth and tongue.

Routine

Routine	What to do
How often	Heat and massage: 3-4 times a day. Water: through the day
For how long	Massage for 2-3 minutes each time. Up to 1-2 weeks, or as we advise
When to stop	If the stone passes, if it does not improve, or if a fever, severe pain or pus appears

Always follow the routine your doctor gave you, which may be different.

Common mistakes

Massaging too hard or doing it with an infected gland.
Putting needles, toothpicks or objects into the duct.
Constantly eating sweets with sugar: they raise the risk of tooth decay.
Not drinking enough water.
Carrying on with this care for weeks without seeking advice.
Taking antibiotics on your own.

What is normal and when to seek advice

It is normal to:

Have the gland swell when you eat and go down in an hour or two.
Notice a jet of saliva or a gritty grain when the stone passes.
Take a few days to notice an improvement.

Stop and seek advice if:

A fever, redness, warmth or pus appears.
The swelling does not go down after several hours or lasts more than 2 weeks.
Episodes recur despite the care.
You notice a lump that does not change with meals.

Call 112 (in Spain) or your local emergency number, or go to A&E, if the floor of the mouth or the neck swells quickly and you have difficulty swallowing or breathing.

Frequently asked questions

Can a stone be cleared by massage? Small stones near the opening sometimes can. If it does not pass, other procedures need to be considered.

Which sweets are good? Sharp-tasting, sugar-free ones. A wedge of lemon also works.

Can I massage if it hurts? With mild pain, gently. If it is severe or you have a fever, do not: seek advice.

How much water do I need to drink? Drink regularly through the day, with no need for exact figures, unless your doctor advises otherwise.

Can they be prevented from coming back? Not always. Drinking water and looking after your mouth help.

References

Badash I, Raskin J, Pei M, Soldatova L, Rassekh C. Contemporary review of submandibular gland sialolithiasis and surgical management options. Cureus. 2022;14(8):e28147.

For general information only. It does not replace a medical consultation and cannot be used for diagnosis. In an emergency in Spain, call 112.

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