The glands sit low on each side of your face and secrete saliva.
Dry mouth can significantly impact your quality of life.
It can affect swallowing, create a burning feeling in the mouth, and predispose you to cavities.
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Anatomy
You have two parotid glands, each one located in front of each ear.
The duct attached to the parotid gland is called Stensen’s duct.
Saliva also helps to defend against bacteria and prevent cavities.
Medically, this is called xerostomia.
Symptoms may include:
Sialadenitis is most common in people with a chronic illness or who become dehydrated.
If the infection isn’t promptly treated, an abscess may form, which may require drainage.
A chronic form of sialadenitis, usually related to an obstruction rather than an infection, can occur.
In these cases, surgery to perform all or part of the gland is a treatment option.
The obstruction causes pain and swelling on the side of the face of the affected gland.
Stones close to the duct opening on the floor of the mouth can sometimes be removed through your mouth.
Outbreaks still occur occasionally, but it is a rarity now.
Tumors
The parotid gland can also develop growths or masses, called tumors.
These tumors are often benign rather than malignant (cancerous).
Malignant parotid tumors are usually either mucoepidermoid and adenocystic carcinomas, or adenocarcinomas.
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