Causes and Risk Factors of Salivary Gland Disease
- Congenital causes: Stafne defect, aplasia, atresia, ectopic salivary gland tissue
- Acquired causes: dysfunction, vascular, infective, traumatic, autoimmune
- Other causes: infections, autoimmune disorders, radiation therapy, certain medications, blockage or narrowing of salivary ducts
Symptoms of Salivary Gland Disease
- Swelling or enlargement of salivary glands
- Pain or discomfort in the affected area
- Dry mouth or decreased saliva production
- Difficulty in eating or swallowing
- Formation of salivary gland stones
Diagnosis of Salivary Gland Disease
- Physical examination of the affected area
- Imaging tests (ultrasound, CT scan)
- Salivary gland function tests
- Biopsy of salivary gland tissue
- Blood tests
Treatment of Salivary Gland Disease
- Antibiotics or antiviral medications for infections
- Moisturizing agents or saliva substitutes for dry mouth
- Salivary gland massage or warm compresses to relieve blockages
- Surgical removal of salivary gland stones
- Immunosuppressive drugs for autoimmune disorders
Complications and Prognosis of Salivary Gland Disease
- Recurrent infections or chronic inflammation
- Formation of abscesses or cysts in the salivary glands
- Increased risk of dental decay or oral infections
- Potential complications from surgical interventions
- Prognosis varies depending on the underlying cause and timely treatment
Salivary gland diseases (SGDs) are multiple and varied in cause. There are three paired major salivary glands in humans: the parotid glands, the submandibular glands, and the sublingual glands. There are also about 800–1,000 minor salivary glands in the mucosa of the mouth. The parotid glands are in front of the ears, one on side, and secrete mostly serous saliva, via the parotid ducts (Stenson ducts), into the mouth, usually opening roughly opposite the second upper molars. The submandibular gland is medial to the angle of the mandible, and it drains its mixture of serous and mucous saliva via the submandibular duct (Wharton duct) into the mouth, usually opening in a punctum in the floor of mouth. The sublingual gland is below the tongue, on the floor of the mouth; it drains its mostly mucous saliva into the mouth via about 8–20 ducts, which open along the plica sublingualis, a fold of tissue under the tongue.
| Salivary gland disease | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Blockage of the submandibular gland by a salivary stone with subsequent infection. Arrow marks pus coming out of the opening of the submandibular gland | |
| Specialty | Gastroenterology, oral and maxillofacial surgery  |
The function of the salivary glands is to secrete saliva, which has a lubricating function, which protects the mucosa of the mouth during eating and speaking. Saliva also contains digestive enzymes (e.g. salivary amylase), has antimicrobial action, and acts as a buffer. Salivary-gland dysfunction occurs when salivary rates are reduced; this can cause xerostomia (dry mouth).
Some disorders affecting the salivary glands are listed below. Some are more common than others, and they are considered according to a surgical sieve; but this list is not exhaustive. Sialadenitis is inflammation of a salivary gland, usually caused by infections, although there are other, less common causes of inflammation, such as irradiation, allergic reactions, and trauma.
