Why salivary glands are so important for your oral health

Saliva is an essential body fluid. It helps reduce bacteria in the mouth and to weaken acidic compounds. — TNS

As the smell whiffs in from the kitchen, saliva starts pooling in your mouth. And sometimes, all it takes is thinking about a favourite meal. These emotional signals cue the body’s six salivary glands to get going.

Two of the glands are located in pairs below and to the front of the ear, two more are on the inside of the lower jawbone and two under the tongue.