The term “organs of the oral cavity” among the inhabitants is associated, as a rule, with teeth, gums, tongue. But there are equally important anatomical structures that play an important role in maintaining the health of the oral cavity and the digestive system as a whole, and therefore require close attention. We are talking about the salivary glands.
What are salivary glands for? How to identify violations in their functioning and what to do to prevent pathologies of the salivary glands?
Where does saliva come from and what is it for?
The least studied body fluid is saliva, which is produced by the salivary glands. Normally, an adult produces about 1.5-2 liters of saliva per day. Despite its small volume, it plays a key role in the formation of the food bolus, its chewing, swallowing and digestion. The moisturizing property of saliva enhances the motor functions of the tongue, allowing a person to interact with others through speech.
Thanks to saliva, a constant acid-base balance is maintained in the oral cavity, which ensures the protection and maintenance of the integrity of the mucous membrane. Saliva cleans the teeth, interdental spaces and tongue from food debris and plaque. Ions of calcium, phosphorus, fluorine contained in its composition contribute to the strengthening of enamel teeth. The antimicrobial property of saliva allows you to fight pathogenic bacteria, fungi and viruses that enter the oral cavity.
In the human body, there are 3 pairs of large salivary glands (parotid, submandibular and sublingual), the excretory ducts of which are located in the oral cavity. In addition, many small glands that produce saliva are concentrated in the thickness of the mucous membrane.
Why does the amount and composition of saliva change?
Violation of salivation in the form of an increase or decrease in its volume can occur for a number of reasons, including:
- microbial damage to the glands (viral parotitis, sialodenitis as a result of insufficient oral hygiene, smoking);
- infectious processes in the organs of the upper respiratory tract (tonsillitis, adenoiditis, rhinopharyngitis, sinusitis);
- stones in the salivary ducts;
- autoimmune processes (for example, Sjögren’s syndrome);
- endocrine pathologies (diabetes mellitus);
- the use of certain medications (in particular, antihistamines, some antidepressants, drugs to reduce pressure, sedatives and antipsychotics);
- radiation and chemical therapy of oncological processes.
The normal functioning of the salivary glands and from the general health of the whole organism, for example, from the functioning of the digestive system. Improvement of the gastrointestinal tract is one of the ways to restore and prevent dysfunction of the salivary glands. If you notice dry mouth or excessive salivation, this is a reason to see a doctor.
How to avoid salivary gland problems
To maintain the health of the salivary glands, experts recommend:
- Take regular and thorough care of your teeth and gums to reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth.
- If signs of an infectious lesion of the oral cavity appear (swelling of tissues, soreness, erosive and ulcerative rashes on the mucous membrane), consult a doctor immediately.
- In the presence of chronic diseases (eg diabetes mellitus, autoimmune pathologies), carefully monitor the appearance of symptoms (relapse) and consult your doctor.
- If the prescribed medications cause dry mouth, inform the doctor about it in order to select an analogue.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of pure water throughout the day.
- Get rid of bad habits: limit the use of tobacco, give up alcohol, drugs.
It is important that the oral cavity is constantly moistened, and the salivary glands play a key role in this task.