Salivary Gland Diseases

What are the salivary glands?

Salivary glands are the glands in your mouth that make saliva. You have three major salivary glands in your mouth, along with hundreds of tiny glands. 

The saliva produced by your salivary glands helps keep your mouth moist, especially when eating, which helps with digestion. Your saliva also contains antibodies that kill germs. 

What are salivary gland diseases?

Salivary gland diseases include various conditions that affect the normal function of these glands, such as:

Infections

Infections are a common type of salivary gland disease. These infections usually block the duct that carries the saliva from the gland into your mouth. 

Sialadenitis is a painful infection of the salivary gland that may be caused by a virus or bacteria. Viral infections, such as the mumps or the flu, may also affect the normal functioning of the salivary glands. 

Tumors

Salivary gland tumors are a common type of salivary gland disease. Most tumors that affect the salivary glands are benign and grow in the parotid gland, one of the primary salivary glands in your mouth. 

Pleomorphic adenomas and Warthin’s tumors are some of the benign tumors that may develop in the salivary glands. Cancerous tumors in the salivary glands are rare. 

What happens during a salivary gland disease evaluation?

When you come in to see a specialist at Southern ENT & Sinus Center for a salivary gland disease evaluation, you can expect a comprehensive and personalized exam.

During the consultation, your provider reviews your symptoms, medical and surgical history, and family history. Then, they perform a physical exam focused on your ear, nose, and throat.

To confirm or rule out the underlying cause of your salivary gland disease, your specialist at Southern ENT & Sinus Center may request a CT scan, which they perform in-house. 

How are salivary gland diseases treated?

The team at Southern ENT & Sinus Center develops individualized treatment plans for salivary gland disease based on the diagnosis and severity of symptoms.

For a bacterial infection, your provider may prescribe an antibiotic and recommend you increase fluid intake. For a viral infection, they may recommend treatments to alleviate symptoms and schedule regular follow-up appointments to monitor you and your symptoms.

Southern ENT & Sinus Center specializes in surgical procedures of the ear, nose, and throat. The team uses minimally invasive techniques when possible to surgically remove tumors responsible for salivary gland disease. 

To schedule your salivary gland disease consultation, call Southern ENT & Sinus Center, or make an appointment using the online booking tool today.