ear, nose, and throat disorders
Salivary Gland Disorders
Salivary gland swelling
Childhood Mumps , certain bacterial infections (for example, of the tonsils or teeth), and other diseases that are typically more common among adults (such as Swelling also can result from cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign) tumors in the salivary glands. Swelling resulting from a tumor is usually firmer than that caused by an infection. If the tumor is cancerous, the gland may feel stone-hard and may be fixed firmly to surrounding tissues ( see Mouth and Throat Cancer ). Most noncancerous tumors are moveable. An injury to the lower lip—for instance, from accidental biting—may harm any of the minor salivary glands found there and block the flow of saliva. As a result, an affected gland may swell and form a small, soft lump (mucocele) that appears bluish. The lump usually disappears by itself within a few weeks to months. Many older people have a dry mouth. Although aging itself affects moisture in the mouth only slightly, it does make people more susceptible to conditions that dry the mouth, and older people are more likely to take drugs that may dry the mouth. For many people, a dry mouth is only an occasional annoyance. For others, it is a persistent problem that interferes with tasting, chewing, swallowing, speaking, and wearing dentures. Persistent dry mouth increases the risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease. Persistent dry mouth is usually a symptom of a disorder or a side effect of a drug. 