Your mouth, nose, tongue, lips and even voice box are covered with hundreds of microscopic salivary glands, according to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. These minor salivary glands help release and retain the fluid in the mouth. But your major salivary glands do most of the heavy lifting when it comes to salivary flow. India Today explains that there are three pairs of major salivary glands: Parotid glands. These are the two largest glands. One is located in each cheek over the jaw in front of the ears. Submandibular glands - these two glands located at the back of the mouth on both sides of the jaw. Sublingual glands -these two glands are located are under the floor of the mouth. All of the salivary glands empty saliva into the mouth. The saliva enters the mouth through ducts that open into the mouth in different places.
According to a research article published in the Drug Invention Today, each day human salivary glands produce approximately 600 ml of serous and mucinous saliva, which includes 99% water and 1% other important compounds such as minerals, electrolytes, buffers, and enzymes.
All the components of saliva work together to help you eat, speak and keep your mouth clean every day. Here are just some of the many functions of saliva, as noted by the Indian Dental Association:
A research study published in the IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences outlines that saliva as a diagnostic fluid offers distinctive advantages over serum because it can be collected non-invasively. Whole saliva may be used for diagnosis of systemic diseases, because it contains serum constituents. Analysis of saliva done for the diagnosis of hereditary disease, autoimmune disease, malignancy, infection, monitoring of levels of hormones, monitoring of levels of drugs, bone turnover marker in saliva, forensic evidence, dental caries and periodontal disease, diagnosis of oral disease with relevance for systemic diseases.
Because saliva is so important to your oral and overall health, it's important to consult your dentist or doctor if you are suffering from an inadequate saliva flow, also known as dry mouth. The Indian Dental Association suggests to chew on a piece of sugarless gum, or suck on a piece of sugarless hard candy for 5 to 10 minutes every two hours. This can help stimulate your salivary glands so you will have a more sustained flow of fluid in your mouth. However, you should seek professional advice if the problem persists to prevent more serious problems, such as tooth decay, from developing.
This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.
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