Know the Indicators of Juvenile Parotitis

Saliva keeps the mouth comfortably moist, protects enamel, aids chewing and swallowing, neutralizes destructive acids, kills germs, fights bad breath, and fights tooth decay and gum disease. Saliva comes out of six major salivary glands—they’re in the cheeks, under the tongue and near the jawbone—and hundreds of minor glands. 

While salivary stones (hard deposits of calcium and minerals) are more common in adults, some children can get a painful bacterial or viral infection in one or both of their two parotid salivary glands, each of which is just under and in front of each ear. It’s called juvenile parotitis.

The office of Happy Smiles Dentistry of Westchester is enthusiastic about treating your child’s oral health. It’s as important to us as it is to you. In addition to our high-quality, comprehensive dental care, we have a welcoming, patient-focused environment in which each youngster will feel at ease.

Juvenile parotitis can cause painful swelling of the affected gland(s) and make eating difficult. The inflammation may one or both glands and can recur as a child gets older. The cause of this disorder is unclear, but it could be from recurring bacterial or viral infections.

To treat your child’s parotid duct obstruction, take these suggestions. 

• Increase his (or her) intake of fluid.
• Put moist heat on the area.
• Massage the gland and duct.
• Have him suck on candies that promote saliva secretion.
• Give him over-the-counter pain medicines.
• If medically possible, stop his usage of any medicines that cut down on saliva production.

If there’s little or no improvement after about four days, call a pedodontist. 

Happy Smiles Dentistry of Westchester has a well-established reputation for providing high-quality care and compassionate service. We are experienced in treating youngsters of all ages and are an excellent one-stop solution for your child’s oral healthcare needs. Our state-of-the-art facility is your resource for the best in modern pediatric dentistry. Please call us today for an appointment.