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- Diabetes Medicines
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- Pregnancy
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- Premenstrual Syndrome
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- Prenatal Testing
- Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
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- Stillbirth
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- Cholesterol Levels: What You Need to Know
- Cholesterol Medicines
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- High Cholesterol in Children and Teens
- How to Lower Cholesterol
- How to Lower Cholesterol with Diet
- Infant and Newborn Nutrition
- LDL: The “Bad” Cholesterol
- Malabsorption Syndromes
- Nutrition for Older Adults
- Pregnancy and Nutrition
- Toddler Nutrition
- Triglycerides
- VLDL Cholesterol
- Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
- Ataxia Telangiectasia
- Brain Malformations
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- Anatomy
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- Prostate Diseases
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- Abdominal Pain
- Bad Breath
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- Edema
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- Gas
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- Itching
- Jaundice
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Pain
- Rare Diseases
- Raynaud’s Disease
- Sciatica
- Speech and Communication Disorders
- Stuttering
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
Encyclopedia
- Salivary gland biopsy Medical Encyclopedia
Children
- What’s Spit? Nemours Foundation