Submandibular Glands

Submandibular Glands: The Hidden Powerhouses Beneath Your Jaw

If you’ve ever felt a soft lump under your jawline while swallowing or chewing, that’s where your submandibular glands live. These small but vital glands quietly keep your mouth healthy — constantly producing saliva to help you chew, swallow, and even fight infection.

When they work smoothly, you’ll never notice them. But when something blocks or irritates them, you’ll know fast — with swelling, pain, or even infection right under your jaw.

Let’s take a closer look at what the submandibular glands are, what they do, and what can go wrong.

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What Are the Submandibular Glands?

The submandibular glands are a pair of major salivary glands located beneath the lower jaw, one on each side.

They’re roughly the size of a walnut and sit just below the floor of your mouth, nestled under the mandible (jawbone) — hence the name submandibular (“below the jaw”).

Each gland connects to your mouth through a small duct called Wharton’s duct, which opens near the base of your tongue just behind your lower front teeth.

What Do the Submandibular Glands Do?

Their main job is to produce saliva — a mix of water, mucus, and enzymes that keeps your mouth moist and your digestion running smoothly.

Specifically, the submandibular glands:

• Produce about 60–70% of all saliva in your mouth.

• Secrete both serous (watery) and mucous (thicker) fluids.

• Contain enzymes like amylase, which begin the breakdown of carbohydrates.

• Help maintain a neutral pH in your mouth, protecting teeth from acid and bacteria.

In short, they’re the unsung heroes of oral comfort — your natural mouth moisturizer.

Where They’re Located

If you run your fingers gently under your jawline on either side, just behind the chin, you can sometimes feel the soft contour of these glands.

They’re positioned:

• Deep to the lower border of the mandible

• Between the mylohyoid and hyoglossus muscles

• Draining into the mouth via Wharton’s duct, which passes forward and opens beside the frenulum (the fold beneath your tongue)

When healthy, they’re barely noticeable. But when swollen or infected, they can cause a visible lump under the jaw that’s sore to the touch.

Common Problems Affecting the Submandibular Glands

Even though they’re small, these glands can be prone to several issues — most of them minor but occasionally serious if left untreated.

1. Salivary Stones (Sialolithiasis)

The most common issue. Minerals in saliva can crystallize and form stones that block Wharton’s duct.
Symptoms include:

• Swelling under the jaw (especially before or during meals)

• Pain when eating or salivating

• Decreased saliva flow or a dry mouth

The swelling often appears suddenly at mealtimes because saliva can’t escape through the blocked duct.

2. Infection (Sialadenitis)

When saliva flow is obstructed, bacteria can back up into the gland, causing infection.
Symptoms include:

• Pain, swelling, and warmth under the jaw

• Redness inside the mouth near the duct opening

• Fever or pus drainage in severe cases

Prompt antibiotics and hydration usually clear it up.

3. Cysts and Tumors

Occasionally, benign cysts or (rarely) tumors can form in the gland.
Benign tumors grow slowly and painlessly, while malignant ones may feel firm and fixed.
Any persistent lump lasting more than a few weeks should be evaluated by a doctor.

4. Autoimmune Conditions

Diseases like Sjögren’s syndrome can inflame and damage salivary glands, leading to chronic dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, or recurring swelling.

How Submandibular Gland Disorders Are Diagnosed

If you notice swelling or pain beneath your jaw, your doctor may:

• Examine your mouth and neck for tenderness or discharge.

• Massage the gland to check if saliva is flowing freely.

• Use ultrasound or CT scans to look for stones or blockages.

• Occasionally perform sialography — injecting dye into the duct to trace its path.

In rare cases, a biopsy may be done if a tumor or chronic inflammation is suspected.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the cause:

• Salivary stones: Small ones can pass naturally with hydration and massage. Larger ones may need removal by a doctor or minimally invasive surgery.

• Infection: Usually treated with antibiotics, warm compresses, and increased fluid intake.

• Cysts or tumors: Surgical removal if they don’t resolve or show suspicious growth.

• Chronic inflammation: Managed with medication, good hydration, and sometimes gland removal in severe cases.

Avoid dehydration and excessive caffeine — both can reduce saliva flow and increase the risk of blockages.

Self-Care and Prevention

You can keep your salivary glands healthy with simple habits:

• Stay hydrated throughout the day.

• Stimulate saliva flow by chewing sugar-free gum or sour candies.

• Maintain oral hygiene to prevent bacteria buildup.

• Massage gently under your jaw if you feel mild swelling.

• Avoid tobacco, which can irritate salivary ducts.

If you’ve had a blockage before, regular hydration and good oral care are your best defenses.

The Bottom Line

Your submandibular glands may not get much attention, but they’re crucial for oral health, digestion, and comfort.

When functioning well, they’re invisible. When something’s off, they’ll let you know — with swelling, pain, or tenderness under your jaw.

Most problems are minor and easily treated, especially if caught early. So if you ever feel a lump or swelling under your jaw that doesn’t go away, let your doctor take a look.

Your body is good at signaling trouble — and those little glands under your jaw are no exception.