Salivary Gland Disorders

Summary

Your salivary glands are in your mouth. You have three pairs of major salivary glands and hundreds of small (minor) glands. They make saliva (spit) and empty it into your mouth through openings called ducts. Saliva makes your food moist, which helps you chew and swallow. It helps you digest your food. It also cleans your mouth and contains antibodies that can kill germs.

Problems with salivary glands can cause them to become irritated and swollen. You may have symptoms such as:

• A bad taste in your mouth
• Difficulty opening your mouth
• Dry mouth
• Pain in your face or mouth
• Swelling of your face or neck

Causes of salivary gland problems include infections, obstruction, or cancer. Problems can also be due to other disorders, such as mumps or Sjogren’s syndrome.

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Parotid Diseases National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Salivary Gland Diseases National Institutes of Health

Patient Handouts

• Drooling Medical Encyclopedia
• Salivary duct stones Medical Encyclopedia
• Salivary gland infections Medical Encyclopedia
• Salivary gland tumors Medical Encyclopedia
• Sialogram Medical Encyclopedia

Find an Expert

• Find an ENT American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Genetics

• Lacrimo-auriculo-dento-digital syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Living With

• Mouth Dryness or Thick Saliva American Cancer Society

Journal Articles

• Salivary Gland Disorders

Encyclopedia

• Salivary gland biopsy Medical Encyclopedia

Children

• What’s Spit? Nemours Foundation