The major salivary glands produce approximately one quart of saliva each day, which in turn plays a crucial role in food digestion, swallowing, speech, and protection of teeth against bacteria and ...
Your salivary glands produce saliva and empty it into your mouth through slots called ducts. When these ducts become blocked, they can't produce enough saliva to moisten your food for proper eating.
Administration of radiotherapy to patients with head and neck cancer often causes damage to the parotid glands, resulting in a marked decrease in saliva production, and associated discomfort.