If you have Sjogren's then you likely know by now that dry mouth is one of the many symptoms we deal with on the daily. Which is why dental hygiene is so important for those with Sjogren's.
Almost everyone healthy or not, has experienced a moment (or two) of dry mouth. Whether its because of exercise, dehydration, nerves, or even because of some foods.
For most, the nuance of dry mouth can be conquered easily. Take a sip of water, pop in a piece of gum, and it goes away, you can move one salivated and rejuvenated.
But for individuals with Sjogren's, this isn't the case.
Sjogren's is an inflammatory autoimmune disease and with Sjogren's the immune system attacks the salivary glands.
This means the glands don't function properly, and that means they have a reduced capacity to produce saliva.
Why does this matter and what does that have to do with dental decay?
Well, saliva is a productive tool used in the body to cleanse the teeth of food products. If food sits on the teeth for too long, it starts to decay the teeth. Yikes!
In the Sjogren's support group that I host, teeth decay and the lifestyle changes that come with managing teeth is always a hot topic.
No wonder, everyone needs their teeth to be able to eat and chew healthy foods.
That's why it's so important to take care of your teeth with Sjogren's.
If you are looking for some help with managing your dry mouth, the Sjogren's Foundations has tons of articles to help.
Here's a list of my favorite articles from the Sjogren's Foundation:
Dental Care with Sjögren's: What type of toothbrush to use & how often should you brush
Clinical Practice Guidelines for Oral Management in Sjögren’s Patients: Caries Prevention
In addition to these resources I also put together a post of 7 tips to help manage dry mouth when you have Sjogren's.
I hope these resources can help you manage your dry mouth symptoms. If you have anything you would like to add to the list, please reach out in the comments below.
Wishing you Health and Happiness,
Heather 💜
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