Sjogren’s Syndrome - Dry Mouth Treatment

Dry mouth treatments: Sjogren’s syndrome is an autoimmune condition that can decrease the amount of saliva and tears one makes because of inflammation of the salivary glands (such as the parotid gland) or the lacrimal glands. Dry mouth for some may be uncomfortable, painful and may even lead to poor dentition, tooth loss and thrush. Dry mouth may occur in other types of autoimmune disease and may be termed as secondary Sjogren's syndrome.

Some ways to improve dry mouth include:
Increase hydration, ice chips, sugar free candy with xylitol can help stimulate saliva, massaging and heating the salivary glands/parotid glands daily, placing Vitamin E on the tongue, coconut oil (swish and spit) which also serves as an anti-fungal and anti-bacterial along with helping with dry mouth, baking soda rinses (tablespoon of baking soda and 8 oz of water) and using fluoride containing toothpastes (most do).

Other options such as xylimelt discs (available over the counter) which stick to your gums and release continuous hydration (by releasing xylitol) which helps to coat your mouth and helps induce saliva from the salivary glands or gels/mouthwashes such as biotene brands. In some cases we prescribe a medication called a “secretagogue” such as pilocarpine or cevimeline (oral tablets) that should be taken post meals up to three times/day to help the salivary glands release saliva. There may be some side effects to these medications, so each patient needs to be evaluated before prescribing. If someone has very little saliva to no saliva, we recommend Biosal calcium phosphate rinses which help to soothe the dry mouth, helps to reduce thrush (which can happen if mouth is too dry) and helps to remineralize the teeth (which can be a problem in some with very dry mouth).