Definition of Salivary duct stones:

Salivary duct stones are crystallized minerals in the ducts that drain the salivary glands. Salivary duct stones are a type of salivary gland disorder.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Saliva (spit) is produced by the salivary glands in the mouth. The chemicals in saliva can crystallize into a stone that can block the salivary ducts.

When saliva cannot exit a blocked duct, it backs up into the gland, causing pain and swelling of the gland.

There are three pairs of major salivary glands:

• The two largest are the parotid glands, one in each cheek over the jaw in front of the ears.
• Two submandibular glands are at the back of the mouth on both sides of the jaw.
• Two sublingual glands are under the floor of the mouth.

Salivary stones most often affect the submandibular glands, but they can also affect the parotid glands.