7 Diseases that attack the salivary glands in your mouth & bull; hello healthy

The saliva or salivary fluid that you often know as saliva is produced by the salivary glands which are located in the oral cavity. Not only helps digest food, the body's gland functions as a protector of every organ in the oral cavity, especially the mucosal walls and teeth.

However, various disorders can interfere with the work of the salivary glands. Starting from health conditions, infections, abnormal cell growth, to certain syndromic diseases.

So what are the types of oral glandular diseases that can attack the mouth? Come on, see the following reviews of the causes and how to fix them below.

Where are the salivary glands in the oral cavity?

Salivary glands or salivary glands are located in almost all parts of the oral cavity. However, there are three large salivary glands, each of which has a pair of glands, one on each side of the mouth. As for some of these large salivary glands, including:

• The parotid salivary glands are located on the top of the cheek adjacent to the ear and function to drain salivary fluid to the area of ​​the back and upper jaw teeth.
• Submandibular salivary glands, which are under the back of the jaw and function to drain salivary fluid around the lower teeth.
• The sublingual salivary glands are located just under the tongue and function to drain salivary fluid to the entire lower surface or floor of the mouth.

Launched by Cedars-Sinai , in the human oral cavity are also scattered very small glands in addition to the three large salivary glands as above. These small salivary glands number about 600 to 1000 glands located in parts, such as:

• Inner cheek
• Inner lips
• Palate
• The back of the throat
• The back of the tongue
• Pharynx
• Sinus cavity

What are the symptoms of salivary gland disorders and diseases?

In general, there are several signs of salivary gland disease that many sufferers feel, including:

• Blocked saliva flow
• Difficulty swallowing
• Swollen glands on the cheeks and neck
• Pain in the gland
• Recurrent infection
• Growth of cells or lumps in the gland or neck

Types of disorders and diseases of the salivary glands and their causes

Some types of salivary gland disorders do not cause excessive saliva production (hypersalivation), but instead result in clogged salivary gland ducts which make saliva unable to flow smoothly.

To find out some of the common types of oral disorders and diseases, here are some explanations.

1. Sialolithiasis

Sialolithiasis is a condition of blockage of the salivary glands by small calcium deposits. This disruption in the salivary glands causes pain, especially when chewing, so it requires removal of the calcium deposits.

This condition can be triggered by dehydration, eating too little food, or medications that reduce saliva production, such as antihistamines, hypertension drugs, and psychiatric drugs. Although it tends to cause no symptoms, sialolithuasis can cause swelling of the salivary glands and lead to a sialadenitis infection.

2. Sialadenitis

Sialadenitis is an infection of the salivary glands by bacteria that are in the oral cavity, such as Staphylococcus , Streptococcus , and Haemophilus influenzae . Sialadenitis is more common in the elderly and newborns. This infection is generally characterized by pain in the infected mouth and continues with the appearance of pus with fever symptoms.

This type of infection requires early treatment from the first symptoms by taking antibiotics. Infections will be more difficult to cure and get worse if handled inappropriately, especially in individuals with a decreased immune system.

3. Viral infection

This condition can be caused by a systemic viral infection of certain parts of the body that attacks the salivary glands. Common signs of a viral infection are facial swelling and difficulty eating. Sufferers may also experience fever, muscle and joint pain.

The form of viral infection that often occurs in the salivary glands is mumps (parotitis). In general, viral infections can get better on their own as the individual's immune system improves.

4. Cysts

The growth of a fluid-filled sac on the salivary gland or cyst can be triggered by trauma from an accident, inflammation of sialolithiasis, or as a tumor growth. However, in infants, cysts can grow on the parotid salivary glands, which is a sign of impaired ear development before birth.

Cysts may disappear and repair on their own. In addition, how to treat swollen salivary glands can be done with the removal process without significant complications.

5. The tumor is benign and malignant

Parotid benign tumors, such as pleomorphic adenoma and Warthin's tumor generally grow on the parotid salivary gland with symptoms in the form of a lump that tends to be painless.

Parotid gland tumors, which are more common in women and the elderly, are generally caused by smoking and exposure to radiation around the face. These tumors are benign with slow growth. Although relatively rare, tumors can also develop into cancer, requiring surgery.

Meanwhile, malignant tumors or salivary gland cancer that are usually found in the elderly can be triggered by smoking, radiation, and Sjogren's syndrome.

6. Sialadenosis

Sialadenosis is characterized by the onset of swelling, especially in the parotid salivary glands without being marked by inflammation, infection, or tumor. The specific cause of sialadenosis is not known, but diabetes and alcohol consumption can lead to similar problems.

7. Sjogren's Syndrome

Sjogren's syndrome is a chronic disease caused by an autoimmune disorder, in which white blood cells attack the glands on the face, one of which is the salivary glands.

This syndrome is more influential in middle-aged women who have other health conditions, such as rheumatism, lupus, scleroderma, and polymyositis. Some of the common symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome include:

• Mouth and eyes feel dry
• Porous teeth
• Pain in the mouth
• Joint pain and swelling
• Dry cough
• Fatigue
• Recurrent swelling and infection of the salivary glands

How to prevent disorders and diseases of the salivary glands?

Reported by journals American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation , the treatment of salivary gland disease can be done in two methods, namely medically and through surgery.

Salivary gland disorders related to infection due to bacteria or viruses around the area, the doctor or ENT specialist can prescribe antibiotics and ask the sufferer to consume more fluids.

While salivary gland disorders involve all or other parts of the body, of course you need to consult with other specialists to treat the main cause.

Surgery can be performed if there is a mass in the form of a tumor or cancer that is detected in the salivary gland area, so it requires removal. If it is cancer, radiation therapy also needs to be done to kill cancer cells which is done 4-6 weeks post-surgery. Meanwhile, if the mass is a benign tumor, radiation therapy may not be necessary.

In addition, there is no special way to avoid this oral health problem. However, as a preventive measure, there are several things that can be done to reduce the risk of salivary gland disorders, including:

• Avoid smoking.
• Live a healthy diet.
• Consume enough sufficient drinking water.
• Brush your teeth regularly twice a day.
• Use mouthwash to keep mouth moist.