Language is the most important organ in the human body, which performs various functions. Suddenly appeared pain and inflammation under the tongue indicate the development of a pathological condition. It is important to seek specialized help in a timely manner, undergo diagnostics and begin treatment of the disease.
Causes of inflammation
Inflammatory processes in the oral cavity can not be attributed to common pathologies. However, unpleasant symptoms can still occur in people of different age categories. If you experience pain, swelling under the tongue, you should contact your dentist or otolaryngologist. In this case, the doctor can diagnose sialadenitis - an inflammation of the gland under the tongue.
This is a rather insidious ailment, which often develops asymptomatically and is determined already in an advanced stage. All three pairs of salivary glands located in the oral cavity are affected by it. Inflammation develops already against the background of an infection in the body.
The causes of inflammation of the salivary gland under the tongue include the following factors:
- the presence of dental problems;
- inflammation of the lymph nodes, tonsils;
- tonsillitis;
- poor oral hygiene;
- an allergic reaction.
Sialadenitis can have a viral or bacterial etiology. In the first case, the disease is called mumps (in the people - mumps). The virus infects the parotid glands. In case of nonspecific bacterial infection, a pathogenic agent can enter the glands through the ducts from the oral cavity or through the lymph and blood.
Inflammation of the frenum under the tongue
The tongue connects to the lower jaw thanks to the bridle - a thin skin membrane. She holds the tongue, participates in the formation of the correct pronunciation of sounds. It contains a large number of nerve endings, blood vessels. Therefore, with the development of a pathological condition, the bridle becomes especially sensitive. In the inflammatory process, doing the usual things - talking, chewing food - it becomes painful.
Various dental diseases, injuries associated with active work of the oral cavity, inflammation of the lymph nodes or tissues of the tongue, and bad habits can provoke inflammation of the hyoid frenum. The painful sensations that arise in this case adversely affect the quality of life. To identify the true etiology of the syndrome, you must always consult a doctor.
How to determine salivary gland inflammation?
For the disease, the manifestation of certain symptoms is characteristic. First of all, the amount of saliva secreted decreases, and dry mouth appears. Pain is aggravated by eating, talking, opening and closing the mouth.
Inflammation of the salivary gland under the tongue is accompanied by redness, swelling of the mucous surface in the focal area. In the secret secreted by the gland, pus, mucus may appear. With purulent inflammation, there is a danger of melting of the salivary capsule of the gland and the transition of the disease to nearby tissues. If the disease is infectious, the patient has a significant deterioration in general condition: the body temperature rises, weakness appears, nausea, and appetite disappears.
The appearance of pain under the tongue during the meal can indicate a short bridle. This problem is usually encountered by parents of young children. Doctors recommend that you cut the bridle at an early age, so that later on the child does not have problems with the pronunciation of certain sounds.
Diagnostics
It is impossible to independently establish a diagnosis in this case. Inflammation affects all three salivary glands. In addition, the disease can cover several glands at the same time. The dentist or therapist should be involved in the examination. The doctor, upon examination of the patient, can detect the discharge of pus, establish the exact location of the inflammatory process.
If the inflammation under the tongue is complicated by an abscess, ultrasound or computed tomography may be needed. Most often, for a doctor to diagnose, it is enough to study the results of laboratory tests of the patient. A cytological examination of saliva allows you to accurately determine which pathogen caused the development of inflammation of the gland.
How to treat?
The treatment of the disease should be engaged in the early stages of development. Chronic pathology is practically not amenable to medical effects and will periodically remind of itself. For the treatment of the disease, antiviral, anti-inflammatory drugs, sometimes antibiotics, are usually prescribed. Particular attention is paid to local treatment.
In the process of therapeutic treatment, patients are recommended to take medications that will enhance the release of saliva. Medicines such as Pilocarpine, Potassium Iodide and Galantamine are usually administered using physiotherapeutic methods (electrophoresis, galvanization). With severe pain, novocaine blockades are made. Surgery is indicated only in severe cases when inflammation under the tongue accompanied by the formation of purulent accumulations.
Treatment of a chronic inflammatory process in the salivary glands takes a longer time. Doctors recommend taking exacerbations of the disease to take antibacterial drugs and medications that will increase the release of salivary fluid. Patients suffering from a chronic type of sialadenitis need regular prevention of pathology.
Inflammation under the tongue: treatment with alternative methods
You can get rid of pathology with the help of proven folk methods. They are used in combination with traditional methods of treatment. Rinse the mouth with saline to help get rid of inflammation of the salivary gland. For its preparation, it is better to use sea salt. Take a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. With this solution, the oral cavity is treated after each meal.
If the inflammation in the mouth under the tongue has an infectious etiology, a weak solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) should be used . The substance has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. To clean the oral cavity from pathogenic pathogens can also be done with baking soda. The solution is prepared at the rate of 1 teaspoon of soda per 200 ml of hot water. Rinse your mouth after the solution has cooled to an acceptable temperature (30-35 ° C).
Doctors Recommendations
With inflammation of the salivary gland, experts recommend that you do not self-medicate and seek medical help as soon as possible. This will allow timely initiation of adequate therapy and eliminate inflammation under the tongue without serious complications.
Forms of the disease that occur without complications are successfully treated at home. However, in some cases, a stationary mode cannot be dispensed with.
Do I need to follow a diet?
Proper nutrition during treatment is the key to a speedy recovery. Food should be well chopped. Excessive chewing movements will only intensify pain and will irritate the inflamed part of the mucous membrane in the oral cavity. The menu should consist of soups, vegetable and meat purees, cereals.
Particular attention is paid to the drinking regimen. Before the meal, you should drink stewed fruit, fruit drinks or water with the addition of lemon juice. This will help stimulate the production of salivary fluid.