Dry mouth could be sign of Sjogren's syndrome

Saliva helps to neutralize acid from bacteria in the mouth which in turn helps prevent dental decay. If not enough saliva are produced then risk for tooth decay can increase.

"The average person produces up to half a liter of saliva a day; a person with Sjogren's may produce a third less, making it difficult to chew, swallow and speak. Because of a lack of saliva, people with dry-mouth symptoms may consume a lot of water to compensate,” said Michael Brennan, Director of the Sjogren's syndrome and salivary disorders center.

There is no known cure for Sjogren's so the treatment will only reduce symptoms of the disorder. The most common symptoms of the disorder are dry mouth and dry eyes, but vary from person to person, so treatment may vary as well.

“They may experience increased sensitivity to foods or drinks or notice more dental issues. Left untreated, dry-mouth symptoms can get worse, so it's important to talk to your doctor to find the right treatment plan,” said Brennan.

To help relieve the dry-mouth symptoms associated with Sjogren's, doctors may recommend saliva substitutes and prescription medications. For dry-eye symptoms, artificial tears or ointments, which keep eyes moist by replacing natural tears, may be recommended by doctors.

In addition to over the counter eye drops and mouth preparations, prescription products for dry eyes and dry mouth are available. They include Evoxac, Salagen and Numoisyn for dry mouth and Restasis and Lacrisert for dry eye.

In an Ipsos patient survey, more than 85 percent of dry-mouth sufferers were hopeful that they can learn how to manage their symptoms or that they have already learned to do so to minimize their negative impact on their daily life.

Half of Sjogren's syndrome sufferers reported that they were experiencing symptoms for three or more years before they were diagnosed. More than 80 percent of dry-mouth sufferers did not realize that their symptoms can be related to such a serious condition, the survey said.

Ever since the disease identified in 1933 by Henrik Sjogren, it has been found that the disease could affect virtually every racial and ethnic group. General awareness about Sjogren’s syndrome is still lacking and increased professional awareness is needed to help expedite new diagnoses and treatment options.