Sjogrens is More Prevalent
Sjogren’s Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that affects the moisture-producing glands. The body’s immune system attacks these cells, causing them to stop working.
This condition can affect saliva glands, tear ducts, and other organs. Consequently, oral health issues arise when the saliva glands are affected, reducing saliva flow. Although Sjogrens is more prevalent in perimenopausal women ages 40-50, it also appears across all racial and ethnic groups.
Autoimmune Diseases
As with many autoimmune diseases, the direct cause of Sjogren’s remains unknown. Despite being one of the most common autoimmune disorders, on average, it takes 4.7 years for a patient to receive a diagnosis.
Experts have classified Sjogren’s Syndrome into two categories. Firstly, there’s Primary Sjogren’s, which manifests as dryness of the mouth and eyes. Secondly, Secondary Sjogren’s is associated with other systemic rheumatic autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus.
Sjogren’s on Oral Health
The primary effect of Sjogren’s on oral health is xerostomia (dry mouth) resulting from damage to salivary glands. Saliva plays multiple crucial roles in the oral cavity:
- Washes away food debris after eating and drinking.
- Maintains more neutral pH to counteract the acidic effects of bacteria.
- Retains calcium, phosphorus and fluoride ions to keep enamel strong.
- Moistens food and contains enzymes to begin digestion.
Sjogren’s Syndrome
When left untreated, xerostomia can lead to rapid advancement of decay. Therefore, if you feel you’ve been experiencing dry mouth, always mention it to your dentist and hygienist. While medications may cause this condition, it could also indicate Sjogren’s syndrome.
It’s important to work with your dentist and physician to get a definitive diagnosis. If you have questions about Sjogren’s Syndrome or Xerostomia, don’t hesitate to ask your dentist or 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
Faster, better, and more comfortable care is available at Dental Care of Vashon. Our team views you as a key part of our dental family. This inspires us to go the extra mile for your dental health.