Salivary Gland Stones (Sialolithiasis)
A salivary gland stone usually announces itself at the dinner table. You take a few bites, and a lump swells up under your jaw or beneath your tongue. It aches, feels tight, and then slowly goes down over the next hour or so. The next meal, it happens again. That on-and-off swelling is so typical that many people come in already suspecting a blocked salivary gland, and most of the time they're right.
A salivary gland stone (sialolithiasis) is a small, hard calcium deposit that blocks a saliva duct, most often the one under the tongue. The telltale sign is swelling and pain under the jaw when you eat. It's not contagious and not cancer. Small stones often pass with fluids, sour candy, warmth, and massage. See a dentist if swelling keeps returning, and get same-day care for fever or pus.
Not sure this is what you have? Answer five quick questions in our mouth spot checker. It compares what you see with more than 40 common conditions and tells you how soon to have it looked at.
- What a salivary stone looks like
- Why the gland swells when you eat
- Salivary stone locations
- Salivary gland stone symptoms
- Sialadenitis: when the gland gets infected
- Salivary stone vs. tonsil stone
- Other causes of a swollen salivary gland
- What causes salivary stones?
- Can a salivary stone come out on its own?
- How to get rid of a salivary gland stone at home
- Over-the-counter help
- What a dentist can do
- Salivary gland stone removal and surgery
- Preventing another stone
- Kids, older adults, and cancer treatment
- When to see a doctor for a swollen salivary gland
- FAQ
Salivary gland stone pictures: what it looks like
Most salivary stones are hidden inside the gland or deep in its duct, so you can't see them at all. What you notice is the swelling. When a stone sits near the end of the duct, though, you may be able to spot it. Lift your tongue and look at the floor of your mouth, just behind your lower front teeth. There are two tiny openings there, one on each side of the little web of tissue under the tongue. A stone close to one of those openings can show up as:
- A small, hard, white or yellow bump under the tongue, sometimes with a gritty tip poking through.
- A firm, cord-like ridge along one side of the floor of the mouth, where the duct is swollen.
- Redness or puffiness around the duct opening, especially if it's irritated or infected.
Pressing gently under the jaw on that side may push out a little cloudy saliva, or a few gritty specks. Clear saliva is a good sign. Thick, yellow, or bad-tasting fluid suggests infection.
Why a blocked salivary gland swells when you eat
Your salivary glands make saliva all day, but they really kick into gear when you see, smell, or taste food. A stone acts like a cork in the duct. Between meals, a trickle of saliva can usually seep around it, so the gland stays fairly quiet. At mealtime the gland suddenly makes a lot more saliva than can get past. It backs up, the gland balloons, and it hurts. Once the meal is over, saliva slowly drains and the swelling settles.
This is why "swelling under jaw when eating" is such a reliable clue. Most other lumps in the neck don't change with meals.
Salivary stone locations: under the jaw, under the tongue, or in the cheek
You have three pairs of major salivary glands, plus hundreds of tiny ones scattered through the lips and cheeks. Stones can form in any of them, but not evenly.
- Submandibular glands (under the jaw). More than 80% of salivary stones form here or in its duct. The duct is long, runs uphill to an opening under the tongue, and carries thicker saliva that's rich in calcium. All of that lets minerals settle out.
- Parotid glands (in front of the ear). Roughly 1 in 10 stones. The swelling sits over the cheek and the angle of the jaw, and the duct opens on the inside of the cheek next to the upper molars.
- Sublingual and minor glands. Fewer than 5%. A salivary gland stone under the tongue is usually in the submandibular duct passing through that area, rather than in the sublingual gland itself.
Salivary gland stone symptoms
Some small stones cause no trouble at all and turn up by accident on a dental X-ray or a CT scan done for something else. When a stone does cause symptoms, they usually include:
- Swelling under the jaw, under the tongue, or in front of the ear that comes on during or right after eating.
- Pain or a tight, full feeling in the gland, ranging from mild to sharp.
- Swelling that goes down over an hour or two, then returns with the next meal.
- A hard lump you can feel under the tongue or along the floor of the mouth.
- A salty, gritty, or foul taste, or a little sand-like grit in your mouth.
- A dry feeling on one side, since less saliva is getting through.
Symptoms are almost always on one side. Swelling of both sides at once points more toward a virus such as mumps, a medication effect, or a whole-body condition like Sjögren's.
How do you know if you have a salivary stone?
The pattern tells most of the story: one-sided swelling that comes and goes with meals. To confirm it, we feel the gland from outside and inside the mouth at the same time, watch the saliva that comes from the duct, and take an X-ray. Not every stone shows up on a plain X-ray. Roughly 1 in 5 doesn't contain enough calcium to show. If the picture isn't clear, ultrasound or a CT scan usually settles it.
Sialadenitis: when a blocked salivary gland gets infected
Sialadenitis means inflammation of a salivary gland. A stone is one of the most common reasons for it. When saliva sits still behind a blockage, bacteria from the mouth can travel up the duct and grow. Staph bacteria are the usual culprits. Salivary gland infection can also happen without a stone, especially in people who are dehydrated, recovering from surgery, or taking medicines that dry the mouth.
Signs that a swollen salivary gland has become infected:
- Swelling that stays instead of going down after meals
- Skin over the gland that's red, warm, and tender to touch
- Pus or thick, bad-tasting fluid from the duct opening when you press on the gland
- Fever, chills, or feeling run down
- Trouble opening your mouth wide
An infected gland needs prescription antibiotics, along with the same fluids, sour candy, warmth, and massage used for a stone. Most infections settle within days once treatment starts. Rarely, an untreated infection can form an abscess or spread into the deeper spaces of the neck, so it isn't something to wait out. Infection that keeps coming back is called chronic sialadenitis, and it's usually a sign that a stone or a narrowed duct needs to be dealt with directly.
Salivary stone vs. tonsil stone
Both get called "mouth stones," and people mix them up often. They form in completely different places for different reasons. Our tonsil stones page covers that side in detail.
| Salivary stone | Tonsil stone | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it forms | Inside a salivary gland or its duct: under the jaw, under the tongue, or in the cheek | In the pockets of the tonsils at the back of the throat |
| Made of | Mostly calcium phosphate minerals, very hard | Packed debris, bacteria, and some calcium. Often soft or crumbly. |
| Main symptom | Swelling and pain under the jaw at mealtimes | Bad breath, a sense of something stuck in the throat |
| Smell | Usually none | Often very foul when crushed |
| Can you see it? | Only if it's near the duct opening under the tongue | Often, as a white or yellow speck on the tonsil |
| Comes out on its own? | Small ones sometimes do | Often |
| Who treats it | Dentist first. Oral surgeon or ENT for removal of larger stones. | Home care. ENT if they're frequent or troublesome. |
Other causes of a swollen salivary gland or a lump under the jaw
A lump under the jaw isn't always a stone. These are the conditions we most often sort through:
| Condition | What it feels like | Key clues |
|---|---|---|
| Salivary stone | Swollen, tender gland under the jaw or in front of the ear | Gets bigger with meals and shrinks between them. One side. |
| Mucocele or ranula | Soft, painless, bluish or clear bubble on the lip or under the tongue | Feels squishy, not hard. Doesn't change much with meals. See our mucocele and ranula page. |
| Swollen lymph node | Small, rubbery, often tender lump under the jaw or in the neck | Usually follows a cold, sore throat, or tooth infection. Doesn't change with eating. Shrinks over 2–4 weeks. |
| Tooth abscess | Throbbing tooth, swollen jaw or cheek, sometimes a pimple on the gum | Pain centers on a tooth, often worse biting or with hot drinks. Read about tooth abscess. |
| Mumps or viral parotitis | Puffy cheeks in front of the ears, often both sides | Fever, aches, and tiredness. More common in children and unvaccinated people. |
| Salivary gland tumor | Firm, usually painless lump that slowly grows | Stays the same size between meals and doesn't go away. Most are benign, but any lasting lump needs to be examined and imaged. |
| Bony bump (torus) | Rock-hard, smooth bump on the inside of the lower jaw | Part of the bone, present for years, no swelling. See tori. |
A firm lump in the neck or under the jaw that's been there more than 2–3 weeks and isn't tied to meals, a cold, or a tooth deserves a proper look, even if it doesn't hurt. Most turn out to be harmless. Our oral medicine and diagnosis visits are set up for exactly these "what is this?" questions, and we coordinate with ENT and our colleagues in head and neck cancer care when a lump needs more than we can do in the office.
What causes salivary stones?
A stone starts when something gives minerals a place to collect inside the duct. That might be a bit of thick mucus, a few shed cells, or bacteria. Calcium and phosphate from saliva then build up around it in layers, a little like a pearl, over months or years. Anything that slows saliva down or makes it thicker gives that process more time.
Things that raise the risk
- Not drinking enough fluids, especially in hot weather, after illness, or in older adults.
- Medicines that reduce saliva, such as some blood pressure pills and water pills (diuretics), antihistamines, antidepressants, and bladder medicines. Our dry mouth page covers this in more detail.
- Smoking, which may change saliva and irritate the ducts.
- Past injury or inflammation of a duct, which can narrow it.
- Other conditions that change saliva, such as Sjögren's syndrome.
A large 2025 study of more than 5,000 people with salivary stones found they were somewhat more likely to also have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, kidney stones, or gallstones. That's an association, not proof that one causes the other.
A common worry is diet. There's no good evidence that the calcium in your food, dairy, or hard tap water causes salivary stones, so there's no need to cut those out.
Can a salivary stone come out on its own?
Yes, sometimes. Small stones sitting near the duct opening under the tongue can work their way out, especially with plenty of fluids, sour foods that boost saliva flow, and gentle massage. People describe it as a sudden gush of salty saliva, followed by a gritty little grain in the mouth and fast relief.
Larger stones, and those deep in the duct or inside the gland, usually stay put. They may go quiet for weeks or months, then flare again. A stone that stays in place for a long time can lead to repeated infections and slowly scar the gland, which is why we don't recommend living with recurring swelling indefinitely.
As a rough guide: if home care hasn't made a clear difference within about a week, or the swelling keeps coming back, it's time for an exam.
How to get rid of a salivary gland stone at home
The goal of home care is to keep saliva moving. A strong flow can push a small stone forward and flush out bacteria. These steps are the standard first approach recommended by doctors and dentists, and they're safe for most people.
Every day until the swelling is gone
- Drink more water. Aim to keep your urine pale. Thick, concentrated saliva moves slowly, and dehydration is one of the easiest things to fix.
- Use something sour. Suck on sugar-free lemon drops or sour candies, or take a small sip of lemon water, several times a day. Sour tastes make the glands release saliva. Go sugar-free so you aren't trading a stone for cavities.
- Apply gentle warmth. Hold a warm (not hot) compress against the swollen area for 10–15 minutes a few times a day. It eases the ache and helps saliva flow.
- Massage the gland right after the warmth and the sour candy, using the steps below.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever if you need one, as the label directs. Ibuprofen also helps with swelling.
- Keep your mouth clean. Brush twice a day, clean between your teeth, and rinse with warm salt water (½ teaspoon salt in a cup of water) after meals. Fewer bacteria in the mouth means less chance of infection.
Salivary stone massage, step by step
Massage works by "milking" saliva, and sometimes a stone, from the gland toward the opening. It should feel like firm pressure, not sharp pain.
- Find the gland. For a submandibular stone, it's the swollen spot just under and inside the lower edge of your jaw, about halfway between the chin and the angle of the jaw.
- Press and sweep forward. With 2 or 3 fingertips, press gently into the swelling and slowly sweep forward toward your chin, the direction saliva flows. Repeat 5–10 times.
- Follow the duct inside the mouth. With clean hands, you can place a finger on the floor of the mouth beside the tongue and gently stroke from back to front toward the opening behind your lower front teeth.
- For a parotid gland, start in front of the ear and sweep forward across the cheek toward the corner of the mouth.
- Watch for saliva or grit at the duct opening. A gush of saliva is a good sign, even if no stone comes out.
What not to do
- Don't dig at a stone with tweezers, a needle, a toothpick, or a knife. The duct runs right next to the nerve that gives feeling to your tongue. You can tear the duct, start an infection, or push the stone deeper.
- Don't keep massaging through severe pain, fever, or pus. That means infection, and you need antibiotics.
- Don't take leftover antibiotics. The wrong drug or a short course can make things worse and muddy the picture when you do get seen.
Over-the-counter help for a blocked salivary gland
Nothing sold at the pharmacy dissolves a salivary stone. These simply make the week easier and help keep saliva flowing.
| Option | What it does | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free sour candies, lemon drops, or xylitol gum | Trigger a strong flow of saliva | Choose sugar-free. Use several times a day, especially before massage. |
| Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) | Ease pain and swelling | Use as the label directs, with food. Skip them if you have kidney disease, stomach ulcers, or a bleeding risk, or ask your doctor. In pregnancy, check with your OB first, and avoid them from 20 weeks on unless your doctor says otherwise. |
| Acetaminophen (Tylenol) | Pain relief | Doesn't reduce swelling. Watch total daily dose, since it's in many cold medicines. |
| Warm compress or microwavable heat pack | Soothes the gland and helps saliva move | Warm, not hot. Wrap it in a cloth. Never use heat on a child's face without checking the temperature yourself. |
| Saliva substitutes and dry-mouth rinses | Keep the mouth moist if you have dry mouth | Helpful for comfort. They don't increase your own saliva the way sour tastes do. |
For children, use children's ibuprofen or acetaminophen dosed by weight as the label directs. Don't give aspirin to children or teens.
What a dentist can do for a salivary gland stone
Many people aren't sure whether to call a dentist or a doctor for a swollen salivary gland. Either is reasonable. Because the duct opens inside the mouth and dental X-rays often show these stones, a dental office is a practical first stop. Here's what we do:
- Confirm what it is. We examine the gland from inside and outside the mouth, check the saliva coming from the duct, and rule out a tooth infection, a swollen lymph node, or a bump like a mucocele.
- Take images. An X-ray of the floor of the mouth often shows the stone. When we need more detail, our 3D cone beam imaging can show many calcified stones and their exact position. Ultrasound or a medical CT may be ordered for stones that don't show on dental images.
- Help a small stone out. When a stone is sitting right at the duct opening, we can sometimes ease it out in the office with gentle pressure after numbing the area.
- Treat infection. If the gland is infected, we prescribe an antibiotic and give you a clear plan for fluids, sour candy, warmth, and massage.
- Look at your medicines and dry mouth. If your saliva is low, we'll talk through what might be causing it and coordinate with your physician on any changes. Never stop a prescribed medicine on your own.
- Refer when it's needed. Stones that are large, deep, or keep causing trouble go to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon or an ENT. We send our findings and images so you don't start over.
Patients with complex health histories, such as those on blood thinners, after organ transplant, or with heart conditions, get extra coordination. Our medically complex care page explains how we work with your other doctors.
Salivary gland stone removal and surgery
When home care isn't enough, a specialist chooses a removal method based on the stone's size, how deep it sits, and which gland it's in. Most people never need the gland removed.
| Procedure | Typically used for | What it involves |
|---|---|---|
| Milking or expressing the stone | Small stones right at the duct opening | Numbing and gentle pressure. Sometimes the opening is widened slightly. |
| Sialendoscopy | Small to mid-size stones inside the duct (often under about 5 mm in the submandibular duct) | A very thin camera is passed into the duct through its natural opening, and the stone is grabbed with a tiny basket or broken up. Often done under local anesthesia or light sedation. It saves the gland. |
| Transoral duct removal | Larger stones you can feel under the tongue | A small cut inside the mouth over the stone, along the floor of the mouth. No outside scar. |
| Lithotripsy | Some stones too large to remove whole, more often parotid stones | The stone is broken into pieces with a laser through the scope or with shock waves from outside, then the fragments are flushed or removed. |
| Combined approaches | Stones that are larger or harder to reach | Endoscopy plus a small incision, inside the mouth or on the skin for parotid stones. |
| Gland removal | A last resort when nothing else works or the gland is badly scarred | Surgery through the neck. Rarely needed now that gland-saving options exist. |
Sialendoscopy has become the go-to gland-saving procedure. A 2023 review of 91 studies found it resolved the problem in about 9 out of 10 people treated for stones, with few serious complications. Results depend on the stone and the surgeon, so it's worth asking your specialist what they expect in your case.
How to prevent salivary stones
There's no guaranteed way to prevent a salivary stone, and some people form them with no obvious reason. Keeping saliva plentiful and moving lowers the odds, and matters most if you've had one before.
- Stay well hydrated, especially in a Jacksonville summer, during illness, and if you exercise outdoors.
- Treat dry mouth rather than ignoring it. Sugar-free gum or lozenges between meals keep saliva flowing.
- Review your medicines with your physician if your mouth is often dry. Sometimes a different drug or timing helps.
- Don't smoke or vape.
- Keep up regular checkups. Small stones sometimes show up on routine X-rays during a comprehensive dental exam before they cause symptoms.
- Massage at the first twinge. If you've had a stone, start fluids, sour candy, warmth, and massage as soon as you feel mealtime swelling again.
Salivary stones in kids, older adults, and people having cancer treatment
Children
Salivary stones are uncommon in kids. A child with a swollen salivary gland is more likely to have a viral infection like mumps, or a condition called juvenile recurrent parotitis that causes repeated puffy cheeks. Children with a fever, swelling on both sides, or swelling that doesn't go down should see their pediatrician. If a child's swelling is tied to meals or you can feel a hard bump under the tongue, a dental exam and X-ray can help sort it out.
Older adults
Older adults are more prone to dehydration and often take several medicines that dry the mouth. That combination raises the risk of both stones and salivary gland infection, especially after a hospital stay or surgery. A sudden, painful, warm swelling in front of the ear in a frail or recovering older adult needs prompt medical care.
Head and neck radiation, radioactive iodine, and dry-mouth conditions
Radiation to the head and neck can permanently reduce saliva, and radioactive iodine treatment for thyroid conditions can inflame the salivary glands. People with Sjögren's syndrome also have thick, scant saliva. In all of these, swelling and infection of the glands are more common, and dry mouth raises the risk of cavities. If you've had cancer treatment, learn more on our head and neck cancer dental care page. For Sjögren's, see our page on Sjögren's and your mouth.
Pregnancy
Salivary stones aren't more common in pregnancy, but staying hydrated matters even more, and morning sickness can leave you dry. Sour candies, warmth, and massage are all safe. Check with your OB before taking ibuprofen or naproxen. If you need an antibiotic, we'll choose one that's appropriate for pregnancy and coordinate with your OB.
When to see a doctor for a swollen salivary gland
Make an appointment if:
- Swelling under your jaw or in front of your ear comes back with meals more than once or twice
- You can feel a hard bump under your tongue
- Home care hasn't helped after about a week
- You have a bad or salty taste that won't go away, or ongoing dryness on one side
- You have a firm lump under the jaw, in the cheek, or in the neck that has lasted 2–3 weeks and doesn't change with meals
Get care today if:
- You have a fever with a hot, red, swollen gland
- Pus is draining from the duct, or the swelling is getting quickly worse
- Swelling is spreading down your neck or under your chin, or you can't open your mouth normally
- You have trouble swallowing or breathing. Go to the emergency room or call 911.
- Your immune system is weakened (chemotherapy, transplant medicines, uncontrolled diabetes) and a gland is swelling
If you're a patient of ours and it's after hours, our emergency dental care page explains how to reach us.
Salivary stone FAQ
What is a salivary gland stone?
A salivary gland stone, or sialolith, is a small, hard deposit of calcium and other minerals that forms inside a salivary gland or its duct. It can block saliva from flowing into the mouth, which causes the gland to swell and hurt, especially when you eat. About 8 in 10 form in the submandibular gland under the jaw. The condition is called sialolithiasis.
How do you know if you have a salivary stone?
The classic sign is swelling and pain under the jaw, under the tongue, or in front of the ear that flares up during meals and goes down afterward. It's usually on one side. You might also feel a hard bump under the tongue or notice a salty, gritty taste. A dentist or doctor can confirm it with an exam and an X-ray, ultrasound, or CT scan.
How do you get rid of a salivary gland stone?
Start with home care that keeps saliva flowing: drink plenty of water, suck on sugar-free sour candies, apply a warm compress, and massage the gland toward the duct opening several times a day. Small stones near the opening often come out this way. If the stone doesn't pass or keeps causing swelling, a dentist can help, and larger stones are removed by an oral surgeon or ENT, often with a tiny camera called a sialendoscope.
Can a salivary stone come out on its own?
Yes, small stones close to the duct opening under the tongue sometimes pass on their own, especially with plenty of fluids, sour foods, and gentle massage. People often notice a sudden gush of salty saliva and a gritty little grain in the mouth. Larger stones and those deep in the gland usually need to be removed.
How do you massage a salivary stone out?
After a warm compress and a sour candy, press gently into the swollen gland under the jaw with two or three fingertips and slowly sweep forward toward the chin, the way saliva flows. Repeat 5 to 10 times, a few times a day. You can also stroke the floor of the mouth from back to front with a clean finger. Stop and get seen if it causes severe pain or you have fever or pus.
What causes salivary stones?
Stones form when calcium and other minerals in saliva build up around a tiny bit of mucus, cells, or bacteria inside a duct. Anything that makes saliva slow or thick raises the risk, including dehydration, medicines that dry the mouth, smoking, and past duct injury. Calcium in your diet and hard water haven't been shown to cause them.
Are salivary stones dangerous?
Usually not. Most are a painful nuisance rather than a danger. The main risk is infection of the blocked gland (sialadenitis), which needs antibiotics and can rarely spread into the neck. Fever, pus, rapidly growing swelling, or trouble swallowing or breathing need same-day care.
Can you have a salivary gland stone under your tongue?
Yes. The submandibular duct runs under the tongue and opens just behind the lower front teeth, so stones in that duct can often be felt as a hard bump under the tongue. You may also see a white or yellow tip at the duct opening. Stones in this spot are often the easiest to remove.
What is the difference between a salivary stone and a tonsil stone?
A salivary stone forms in a salivary gland or duct, under the jaw, under the tongue, or in the cheek, and causes swelling at mealtimes. A tonsil stone forms in the pockets of the tonsils at the back of the throat and usually causes bad breath rather than swelling. Salivary stones are hard mineral deposits, while tonsil stones are softer clumps of debris and bacteria.
What is sialadenitis?
Sialadenitis is inflammation or infection of a salivary gland. It often happens when a stone blocks the duct and bacteria grow in the trapped saliva. Signs include a swollen, red, warm, tender gland, pus from the duct, and sometimes fever. It's treated with antibiotics plus fluids, sour candies, warmth, and massage.
Do I need surgery for a salivary stone?
Many people don't. Small stones often pass with home care or are eased out in the office. Larger or deeper stones are usually removed with sialendoscopy, a camera passed through the duct's natural opening, or with a small incision inside the mouth. Removing the whole gland is a last resort and rarely needed today.
Can a dentist remove a salivary stone?
A dentist can diagnose a salivary stone, take X-rays, treat infection, and sometimes ease out a small stone sitting right at the duct opening. Larger or deeper stones are removed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon or an ENT, who have the specialized tools for it. Your dentist can refer you and share images so the specialist has what they need.
When should I see a doctor for a swollen salivary gland?
Make an appointment if swelling keeps coming back with meals, you feel a hard bump under your tongue, or home care hasn't helped in about a week. Get care the same day for fever, pus, a hot red gland, or swelling that's spreading. Go to the emergency room if you have trouble swallowing or breathing.
Swelling under your jaw when you eat?
If you're in the Jacksonville area and a gland keeps puffing up at mealtimes, or you've found a hard bump under your tongue, we're glad to take a look. Dr. Henley can examine it, image it, treat infection, and get you to the right specialist if the stone needs to come out.
Related conditions
Sources
- Hammett JT, Walker C. Sialolithiasis. StatPearls. National Library of Medicine; updated 2024.
- Kim MJ, Milliren A, Gerold DJ Jr. Salivary gland disorders: rapid evidence review. Am Fam Physician. 2024;109(6):550–559.
- Wilson KF, Meier JD, Ward PD. Salivary gland disorders. Am Fam Physician. 2014;89(11):882–888.
- Beumer LJ, Vissink A, Gareb B, et al. Success rate of sialendoscopy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Oral Dis. 2024;30(4):1843–1860.
- Jonas E, Gillman L, Masri D, et al. Systemic risk factors contributing to sialolithiasis: a big-data retrospective analysis. Clin Oral Investig. 2025;29(2):119.
- Abdel Razek AAK, Mukherji S. Imaging of sialadenitis. Neuroradiol J. 2017;30(3):205–215.
This page is for general education and isn't a diagnosis. Every mouth is different. If you have a sore you're worried about, see your dentist or physician. Photos marked Wikimedia Commons are used under their listed licenses and may have been cropped or resized.