3. Pain in the Mouth or Face: Not Just a Simple Ache
Mouth or facial pain is another symptom people often underestimate. It’s easy to attribute a minor ache to a variety of causes, from biting your tongue to sinus pressure. However, pain in these regions could indicate something significantly more concerning, such as a blocked salivary gland.
What makes this symptom particularly tricky is that the pain might not be constant. It can come and go, manifesting itself in different ways. Sometimes, it can be a dull ache that gets worse over time, or it could be a sharp, shooting pain that catches you off guard. The inconsistency can make it easy to ignore or delay seeking appropriate steps.
Just like with swelling, the area where you experience pain can hint at which salivary gland is compromised. Pain near the upper jaw might implicate the parotid gland, whereas discomfort towards the lower jaw could be related to the submandibular gland. Knowing the source can help in identifying the exact issue. (3)
