28/09/2025
💧The Unsung Heroes of Your Smile: The Major Salivary Glands 👅
Most people think about their teeth and gums when it comes to oral health but your salivary glands play a vital role in protecting your mouth every single day.
The 3 Major Salivary Glands & Their Functions:
1️⃣ Parotid Glands (largest)
📍 Location: In front of and just below your ears
🔹 Function: Secrete watery saliva rich in amylase the enzyme that begins digestion of starches.
🔹 Fun fact: These glands are often affected in mumps infections.
2️⃣ Submandibular Glands
📍 Location: Beneath the lower jaw (mandible)
🔹 Function: Produce both watery and mucous saliva contributing about 70% of resting saliva flow.
🔹 Importance: Keeps your mouth lubricated and helps neutralise harmful acids that cause cavities.
3️⃣ Sublingual Glands (smallest)
📍 Location: Under the tongue
🔹 Function: Secrete mainly thick, mucous saliva crucial for coating and protecting oral tissues.
🔹 Special role: Help keep your mouth moist when you’re speaking or swallowing; preventing dryness, ulcers, and irritation.
⚠️ Common Problems with Salivary Glands
• Salivary stones (sialoliths): block saliva flow, causing swelling & pain
• Infections (sialadenitis): can cause swelling, fever, pus discharge
• Dry mouth (xerostomia): from medications, stress, dehydration, PCOS, diabetes, or autoimmune conditions like Sjögren’s
• Cysts or tumours: uncommon, but require dental/medical evaluation
✅ How to Keep Your Salivary Glands Healthy
• Stay hydrated (water is best)
• Chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva
• Avoid excessive alcohol, caffeine & smoking (they dry out your mouth)
• Practice excellent oral hygiene to reduce infection risk
• See your dentist if you notice persistent dryness, swelling, or difficulty swallowing
Your salivary glands may be hidden, but their role is essential. Don’t ignore the signs when something feels off.
🦷 At Lush Emporium Dentistry, we don’t just look at teeth we look at your entire oral health.
📲 065 842 6398
📍 Sandton
