Did you know these things about the salivary glands in our mouths?

Have you ever wondered how the saliva in our mouths is produced and what happens to it? Actually, this saliva is not just a thing. It plays a very important role in our body's health. So today we are going to talk about the wonderful glands that produce this saliva, called `(Salivary Glands)`.

What are the salivary glands in the mouth?

Simply put, salivary glands are like little factories that produce and release saliva (which we usually call 'saliva') into our mouths. The saliva leaves these glands through small tubes (which we call `ducts'). This saliva keeps our mouths and throats moist, helps us swallow food, aids in the digestion process, and protects our teeth from bacteria that cause tooth decay. Imagine how dry our mouths would be and how difficult it would be to swallow food without it!

What are the main types of salivary glands in our mouth?

There are three pairs of major salivary glands in our mouths, which means they are located on both sides.

• Sublingual glands: These are located under your tongue, on either side of your mouth. If you just lift your tongue up, you'll feel a moist sensation there. That's where the saliva from these glands collects in your mouth.
• Submandibular glands: These are located under your jaw. These glands are made up of two lobes: the superficial lobe and the deep lobe. Like the salivary glands, the saliva produced by these glands flows into the mouth under the tongue.
• Parotid glands: These are our largest salivary glands. They are located just in front of your ears, in the cheek area. Like the submandibular glands, these parotid glands have two parts: a superficial and a deep part. Saliva from these glands enters the mouth through small ducts near the teeth (especially the molars ) in the upper jaw.

What benefits do salivary glands provide to us?

The main function of the salivary glands is to produce saliva . This saliva is very important for the health of our mouth, as well as the health of the entire body. Take a look at what happens with saliva:

• It keeps your mouth and throat moist and comfortable . You know the discomfort of a dry mouth.
• Wetting food makes it easier to swallow . Dry food is really hard to swallow, isn't it?
• Saliva contains an enzyme called amylase . This helps digest the starches (carbohydrates) we eat in the stomach. This means that the digestion process begins in the mouth.
• It helps keep your mouth clean . Saliva helps wash away small pieces of food that remain after eating.
• Reduces the risk of tooth decay and gum disease .
• It helps maintain the `pH` (acid-base) balance inside the mouth. This is very important for teeth.

How do these salivary glands help other systems in our body?

Saliva, produced by the salivary glands, plays a major role in our digestive process . When you eat, the food passes from your mouth, down your throat, through your esophagus, and finally into your stomach. Saliva helps smooth the entire journey. It keeps the food moist, breaks it down into small pieces, and makes it easier to swallow.

Some surprising facts you may not know about salivary glands!

Now look at how many amazing things these salivary glands do, even though we don't think much about them.

• An adult's salivary glands produce about one to two liters of saliva per day.
• If you collected your saliva for a year, you could fill a bathtub!
• During a normal lifetime, our salivary glands produce more than 23,000 liters of saliva .
• Your saliva is 99% water . The rest is made up of proteins, enzymes, mucus, and buffering agents (substances that regulate pH).
• A drop of saliva contains your entire genetic makeup . Isn't that amazing?
• Without saliva, you can't taste food. Our taste buds only sense the taste of food after it dissolves in saliva.
• Before you vomit, your salivary glands become more active . This is because the contents of your stomach are acidic. When you vomit, these acids can damage your throat, mouth, and teeth. Saliva helps reduce and neutralize this acidity, reducing the damage.

Are there other salivary glands besides the main ones? Where are they located?

In addition to the three major salivary glands we discussed earlier, there are many other minor salivary glands (`minor salivary glands`) inside our mouths. These small glands are located under the lining of the mouth and throat. There can be as many as 1,000 of these glands in a person's mouth. Although these small glands are much smaller than the major glands, they are said to produce more saliva when combined .

How big are these salivary glands?

The size of the salivary glands varies depending on the gland. For example:

• A single sublingual gland is about the size of an almond .
• Your two submandibular glands combined are about the size of a walnut .
• One parotid gland is slightly smaller than your ear.
• The minor salivary glands throughout the mouth are even smaller – only about 2 millimeters in size.

What are the salivary glands made of?

Each of our salivary glands is covered with tissue. Inside the glands are mainly cells called acini, which secrete fat and fluids.

What are the common diseases that can affect the salivary glands?

Unfortunately, our salivary glands can also be affected by various diseases and conditions. Let's take a look at what they are.

• Salivary gland stones
• Salivary gland swelling
• Salivary gland infection
• Salivary gland dysfunction
• Salivary gland tumors

Now let's talk about each of these in a little more detail.

Salivary gland stones

These salivary stones are formed from salts in saliva. They are especially likely to form if you are dehydrated (`(dehydration)`) or if you are taking medications that cause dry mouth (`(xerostomia)`) . These stones can block the ducts that carry saliva from the salivary glands. This can cause pain, swelling, and infection . It's like something is stuck in a water pipe.

Salivary gland swelling

There are several reasons why salivary glands can swell. For example, when you have mumps, the parotid glands swell. (Nowadays, this disease is much less common because of the MMR vaccine.) Also, when the salivary glands are not working properly, that is, when saliva production is reduced, swelling can occur. Sometimes, swelling can also be caused by tumors that develop in the salivary glands .

Salivary gland infection / Sialadenitis

When the salivary glands become infected, it is medically called `Sialadenitis` . Most often, these infections are caused by a blockage in the salivary glands (such as the stones mentioned above) or by a persistent dry mouth .

This condition can also be caused by certain staph infections . People with eating disorders, such as anorexia, are especially at risk.

Salivary gland dysfunction

This refers to any condition in which your salivary glands are not working properly. Most often, this means that the salivary glands are not producing enough saliva (dry mouth) . This can be caused by a number of things:

• Some types of infections, for example `( HIV )` and `(AIDS)`.
• Some medical conditions, for example Sjögren's syndrome , lupus , and rheumatoid arthritis .
• Certain medications , for example, some antihistamines, antidepressants, sedatives, and medications for Parkinson's disease.
• Some cancer treatments , especially chemotherapy and radiation therapy , are given to the head and neck area.

Important: Not all dry mouth is caused by salivary gland dysfunction. Dehydration, mouth breathing, stress, and anxiety can also cause dry mouth.

Salivary gland tumors

Most of the time, tumors that form in the salivary glands are noncancerous (benign) . That means they are not dangerous. However, sometimes they can become cancerous (malignant) .

There are several types of non-cancerous tumors. For example, `(Adenomas)` (there are also different types of these like `(pleomorphic)`, `(monomorphic)`), `(Oncocytomas)`, `(Warthin's tumor)`.

Examples of cancerous tumors (salivary gland cancers) include `(Mucoepidermoid carcinomas)`, `(Adenoid cystic carcinomas)`, and `(Acinic cell carcinomas)`.

Treatment for salivary gland tumors usually involves surgical removal of the tumor . If the tumor is cancerous, further treatment may be needed. These may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or targeted drug therapy.

What are the symptoms of salivary gland problems?

Dry mouth is the main symptom of a problem with your salivary glands. If you have a persistent dry mouth, it's a good idea to see a doctor to discuss treatment. It could be a medication you're taking that's causing your dry mouth. If so, your doctor may be able to change the medication or reduce the dosage. He or she may also be able to recommend products that can help keep your mouth moist.

What tests are done to check the health of the salivary glands?

There are several tests that doctors can do to check the health of your salivary glands.

• Biopsy: This involves taking a sample of cells or tissue from a salivary gland, usually using a small needle. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. If a biopsy is being taken from the minor salivary glands, a small incision is usually made on the inside of the lip and several glands are removed.
• Salivary gland scan: If your doctor suspects a problem with your salivary glands, he or she may order this scan. This uses a special camera and a radioactive tracer to take pictures of your salivary glands. Before the scan, the tracer is injected into a vein in your arm. The tracer travels through your bloodstream to your salivary glands. The doctor can then use the images from the camera to see how much tracer is in your salivary glands. This test is often used to diagnose dry mouth or swollen salivary glands.

In addition, other imaging tests, such as CT scans and MRI scans, can be performed as needed.

How do I keep my salivary glands healthy? (Take-Home Message)

While salivary gland problems can't always be prevented, there are things you can do to reduce your risk. This is the most important take-home message.

• Drink plenty of water. It is very important to drink at least 2-3 liters of water a day.
• If you smoke, stop today. Smoking is bad for your oral health as well as your entire body.
• Limit alcohol consumption.
• If the medication you are taking is causing your mouth to dry out, tell your doctor so he or she can take appropriate action.
• Practice good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day and clean between your teeth (flossing is best).
• If you have any symptoms of salivary gland pain, swelling, or persistent dry mouth, seek medical advice immediately. Don't ignore anything that seems minor.

You see, even though the salivary glands are small organs, they perform a huge service. They keep our mouths moist and comfortable, and they help with the entire digestive process. So, it's our responsibility to take care of such an important organ.