While we seldom give it much thought, saliva is vital to our body’s ability to survive. Its unique composition makes essential everyday activities possible. Without saliva stimulating our taste buds, eating food would be a lot less enjoyable. Beyond that, chewing and swallowing would be quite dangerous. The parotid glands, also known as salivary glands, provide us with saliva, benefiting our overall oral and bodily health. Keeping these glands healthy is imperative to our well-being.
The mechanics of saliva
There are six main glands (three on each side of the mouth) that are constantly producing saliva. The parotid glands secrete saliva into the mouth just above the upper molars. The submandibular glands and sublingual glands also release saliva near the lower molars and under the tongue, respectively.
Saliva makes eating and speaking easier, as it keeps the mouth moist. Another key aspect is its ability to cleanse the teeth of harmful bacteria and lower the acidity level in the mouth, aiding in the prevention of tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, it also contains minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and fluoride, which have restoring properties for tooth enamel.
How can we keep the parotid glands healthy?
Some of the most important actions we can take for the health of our parotid glands include:
- Refraining from smoking and tobacco use
- Limiting alcohol consumption and recreational drug use
- Maintain good oral hygiene to prevent bacterial growth in the mouth.
- Staying hydrated by drinking ample amounts of water throughout the day.
Proper parotid function also requires general health upkeep. Regular visits to the doctor are important, as issues such as diabetes, sleep apnea, and mouth dryness can become a factor in hindering proper parotid gland function. Any and all signs of infection in the mouth, like swollen salivary glands, should be reported to a doctor as well.
What is dry mouth?
When the glands don’t produce a sufficient amount of saliva to keep the mouth properly moistened, people may develop xerostomia, otherwise known as dry mouth. All people experience dry mouth on occasion, especially when they are feeling nervous or stressed. However, some people have dry mouth frequently due to the side effects of a medication or an issue that is interfering with saliva production.
Over 500 over-the-counter and prescription medications have been found to cause dry mouth or exasperate its severity. Everything from antihistamines to antipsychotics are considered problematic for our oral state.
Some symptoms of dry mouth include problems with chewing, a loss of taste, a burning feeling in the mouth, mouth sores, and cracked lips. Chewing sugarless gum, eating sugarless candies, or using a doctor-prescribed saliva substitute can all improve these issues by stimulating saliva production.
Other conditions that affect saliva production
Dry mouth has been associated with HIV, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome. Chemotherapy can also cause dryness in the mouth as the saliva becomes thicker. Dehydration, chronic illness, and blockages from a salivary stone duct can cause parotid gland infections. Mumps is also a culprit to look out for.
What is the takeaway?
Parotid glands are an often overlooked part of the body that serve an extremely important purpose. Taking proper measures to ensure that they stay healthy can save us a lot of trouble in the future. Staying hydrated and avoiding problematic behaviors are two simple ways to keep our mouths in good shape.
