Dry Mouth Care
Dryness of the mouth due to Sjögren's syndrome can be quite painful and can impact a person's quality of life negatively. Although dry mouth can be difficult to manage and expensive to treat, the good news is that there are ways to help manage and prevent some of the oral symptoms resulting in reduced pain.
Possible Prevention Tips and Management of Sjögren's Oral Symptoms
- Limit sugar consumption and sodas
- Keep mouth hydrated, sip water or sugar-free non-carbonated drinks
- Extra care and particular attention to good oral hygiene habits
- Frequent dental checkups for dental cleanings, tooth maintenance and fluoride application
- Stimulate natural saliva by chewing sugar-free gum, sucking sugar-free candy
- Apply fluoride in custom trays several times a week between visits (ask your dentist)
- Use high fluoride containing toothpastes
- Consider medication to stimulate saliva flow
- Treat yeast infections
- Treat acid reflux
- Use Chlorhexidene mouthrinse 2 or 3 times a day to reduce caries (cavities) causing bacteria
- Education about Sjögren's
Click here to learn more about oral hygiene.