Salivary Glands

salivary gland, any of the organs that secrete saliva, a substance that moistens and softens food, into the oral cavity of vertebrates.The glands are located in and around the mouth and throat. The salivary glands in mammals are exocrine glands, glands with ducts, that produce saliva. They also secrete amylase, an enzyme that breaks down starch into maltose.The major salivary glands are called the parotid, submandibular and sublingual glands. They all secrete saliva into the mouth.Then saliva enters the mouth through ducts that open into the mouth in different places.

• the parotid -through ducts near the upper teeth
• submandibular- into the front portion under the tongue
• the sublingual -through multiple ducts in the floor of the mouth.

In addition to these glands, there are hundreds of tiny glands called minor salivary glands located in the lips, inner cheek area (buccal mucosa) and extensively in other linings of the mouth and throat. Salivary glands produce the saliva used to moisten your mouth, initiate digestion, and help protect teeth from decay.

Salivary gland infections
Salivary gland infections affect the glands that produce saliva (spit). The infection may be due to bacteria or viruses.

Viral infections such as mumps often affect the salivary glands. Mumps most often involves parotid salivary gland). Mumps is a rare problem today because of the MMR vaccine.

Bacterial infections are most often the result a:

• Blockage from salivary duct stones.
• Poor cleanliness in the mouth (oral hygiene)
• Low amounts of water in the body, most often while in the hospital.
• Smoking
• Chronic illness

Symptoms

• • Abnormal tastes, foul tastes
  • Decreased ability to open the mouth
  • Dry mouth
  • Fever
  • Mouth or facial pain, especially when eating
  • Redness over the side of the face or the upper neck
  • Swelling of the face (particularly in front of the ears, below the jaw, or on the floor of the mouth)

Exams and Tests

• Your health care provider or dentist will do an exam to look for enlarged glands. You may also have pus that drains into the mouth. The gland may be painful.
• A CT scan, MRI scanor ultrasound may be done if the doctor suspects an abscess.

Treatment

In some cases, no treatment is needed.

Treatment from your health care provider may include:

• Antibiotics if you have a fever or pus drainage, or if the infection is caused by bacteria. Antibiotics are not useful against viral infections.
• Surgery or aspiration to drain an abscess if you have one.

Self-care steps you can take at home to help with recovery include:

• Practice good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth and floss well at least twice a da. This may help with healing and prevent an infection from spreading.
• Rinse your mouth with warm salt water rinses (1/2 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of water) to ease pain keep the mouth moist.
• Stop smoking if you are a smoker, to speed up healing.
• Drink lots of water and use sugar-free lemon drops to increase the flow of saliva and reduce swelling.
• Massaging the gland with heat.