You may be asking what exactly is Sjogren’s Syndrome? Sjogren’s Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which the body begins attacking its own moisture producing glands. This can be your saliva glands, tear ducts or other organs.
The main issue for oral health occurs when the saliva glands are affected and flow of saliva is reduced. This autoimmune disorder can affect all racial and ethnic groups, but is most common in women ages 40-50 years (perimenopausal).
Dry mouth from Sjogren’s Syndrome will not subside, no matter how much water you drink.
The Unknown Cause of Sjogren’s
While the cause of Sjogren’s is unknown, this seems to be the case with many autoimmune diseases. Despite this being one of the most common autoimmune disorders, it takes an average of 4.7 years to receive a diagnosis, according to the Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation.
Sjogren’s Syndrome has been given two separate classifications. The first is Primary, which manifests as dryness of the mouth and eyes, and secondary, which is associated with other systemic rheumatic autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus.
Xerostomia (Dry Mouth)
Xerostomia (dry mouth) is the primary effect of Sjogren’s on oral health which causes damage to salivary glands. Saliva plays multiple roles of high importance in the oral cavity:
• Maintains a more neutral pH to counteract the acidic effects of bacteria.
• Washes away food debris after eating and drinking.
• Moistens food and contains enzymes to begin digestion.
• Retains calcium, phosphorus, and fluoride ions to keep enamel strong.
Finding Healthier Habits
If left untreated xerostomia can severely increase the rate and severity of decay an individual experiences. If you feel like you’ve been experiencing xerostomia (dry mouth), remember to mention it to Dr. Crane and/or your Hygienist. It is often caused by medications, but may also be an indicator of Sjogren’s syndrome.
It’s important to work in conjunction with your physician and dentist to get a definitive diagnosis. If you have questions about Sjogren’s Syndrome or Xerostomia, please feel free to ask Dr. Crane or your hygienist at your next visit with us!
References
Mouth Healthy:
https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/s/sjogrens-syndrome
National Center for Biotechnology Information:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18362310
ADHA:
http://jdh.adha.org/content/89/6/365
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