Contents:
- Medical Video: Tonsil Stone Removal - REDUX, Tonsil Stone Removal Tools
- Where is the salivary gland?
- Diseases and disorders of the salivary glands and their causes
- 1. sialolithuasis
- 2. Sialadenitis
- 3. Virus infection
- 4. Cysts
- 5. Benign and malignant tumors
- 6. Sialadenosis
- 7. Sjogren's Syndrome
- How to prevent disorders and diseases of the salivary gland
Medical Video: Tonsil Stone Removal - REDUX, Tonsil Stone Removal Tools
Saliva or salivary fluid, often known as saliva, is produced by the salivary glands in your mouth. Not only does it help digest food, the salivary glands also protect every organ in the oral cavity, especially the mucous walls and teeth. However, various disorders can interfere with the salivary glands, ranging from health conditions, infections, abnormal cell growth, to certain syndromic diseases.
Where is the salivary gland?
Salivary glands or salivary glands are located in almost all parts of the mouth. There are three large salivary glands in a particular place, each of which has a pair of glands, including:
- the parotid salivary gland located on the top of the cheek adjacent to the ear, which functions to drain salivary fluid into the area of the back and maxillary teeth
- the submandibular salivary gland, which is below the rear jaw, functions to drain salivary fluid around the lower teeth
- the sublingual salivary gland is located just below the tongue, which functions to drain salivary fluid throughout the lower surface or floor of the mouth
In addition to these three salivary glands, in the oral cavity the salivary glands are spread very small with an amount of about 600 to 1000 glands, in part:
- Inner cheeks
- Inner lips
- Palate (palate)
- The back of the throat
- The back of the tongue
- Pharynx
- Sinus cavity
Diseases and disorders of the salivary glands and their causes
Some types of disorders that commonly occur in the salivary glands include:
1. sialolithuasis
This is a blockage of the salivary gland by small calcium deposits. This causes pain, especially when chewing, so it requires action to remove calcium deposits.
This condition can be triggered by dehydration, eating too little food, or treatment that reduces saliva production such as antihistamines, hypertension drugs, and psychiatric drugs. Although it tends not to cause symptoms, but this disorder can cause swelling and trigger infection sialadenitis.
2. Sialadenitis
Is a bacterial infection that is in the mouth and is more commonly experienced by the elderly and newborns. This infection is generally characterized by pain in the infected part of the mouth, and continues with the presence of pus and symptoms of fever.
This type of infection requires early treatment since the first symptoms by taking antibiotics. Without proper treatment, infection will be more difficult to cure and get worse, especially in individuals who experience a decrease in the immune system.
3. Virus infection
This condition can be caused by a systemic viral infection of certain parts of the body that attack the salivary glands. Common signs of viral infection are swelling of the face and difficulty eating. Patients can 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 improve on their own as individuals improve their endurance.
4. Cysts
The growth of a fluid-filled sac in the salivary gland can be triggered by trauma due to an accident, swelling of sialolithuasis, or tumor growth. But in infants, cysts can grow on the parotid salivary gland which is a sign of a disruption of ear development before birth. Cysts can disappear and repair themselves, or can be removed without significant complications.
5. Benign and malignant tumors
Tumors generally grow on the parotid salivary gland, with symptoms of lumps that tend to cause no pain. Parotid gland tumors are generally caused by smoking and radiation exposure around the face. This tumor is also benign with slow growth. However, although rare, tumors can develop into cancer so that it requires surgery.
Cancer in the salivary gland can be triggered by smoking, radiation, and also Sjogren's syndrome.
6. Sialadenosis
The form of swelling, especially in the parotid salivary glands, without signs of inflammation, infection, or tumor. Specific causes are unknown, but diabetes conditions and alcohol consumption habits can trigger similar problems.
7. Sjogren's Syndrome
Sjogren's syndrome is a group of symptoms caused by an autoimmune disorder, in which the immune system of white blood cells attacks the glands that are on the face, one of which is the salivary gland. This syndrome is more experienced by women with autoimmune conditions such as lupus in adulthood.
Some signs if someone has Sjogren's syndrome, namely:
- Mouth and eyes feel dry
- Tooth loss
- Pain in the mouth
- Joint pain and swelling
- Dry cough
- Fatigue
- Swelling and infection of recurrent salivary glands
How to prevent disorders and diseases of the salivary gland
Salivary gland disorders are associated with a decrease in endurance because they can be easily triggered by infection, both directly and indirectly. The best way to prevent bacterial and viral infections in the mouth is to strengthen the body's resistance and get vaccinated.
In addition, there is no specific way to avoid the salivary gland disorders, but some things can be done to reduce the risk of salivary gland disorders, including:
- Do not smoke
- Have a healthy diet
- Consume enough adequate drinking water
- Maintain oral hygiene.
