Your salivary glands make saliva - sometimes called spit - and empty it into your mouth through openings called ducts. Saliva makes your food moist, which helps you chew and swallow. It helps you digest your food. It also cleans your mouth and contains antibodies that can kill germs.
Problems with salivary glands can cause the glands to become irritated and swollen. This causes symptoms such as
Causes of salivary gland problems include infections, obstruction or cancer. Problems can also be due to other disorders, such as mumps or Sjogren's syndrome.
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Date last updated: 05 September 2008 Topic last reviewed: 12 August 2008 |