Written By Dr. Kyle Griffith
Sjogren’s Syndrome isn’t widely recognized as a health issues that you could experience. But for those who do suffer from the effects of Sjogren’s Syndrome, they always wish they had known about their diagnosis earlier.
Sjogren’s Syndrome is an autoimmune disease that affects the tear and salivary glands. This leads to dry eyes and dry mouth. Now, I’m not a vision specialist but being a dentist, I’m attuned to the damage dry mouth can cause to the teeth.
If dry mouth is left untreated, it causes a shift in the balance of the oral bacteria. Saliva acts as a natural protector for the teeth and gums. Without saliva, the bacteria of the mouth go on the offensive and start to attack the teeth and gums. Without the protective function of saliva, the teeth are highly vulnerable to cavities.
Cavities are the number one problem caused by dry mouth. When a patient experiences extended periods of dry mouth, it is not uncommon to find cavities. These cavities wreak havoc on a patient’s oral health. If dry mouth is identified early, protective factors and treatments can be put into place to help protect the teeth. If the dry mouth is severe or long standing, in some instances the teeth cannot be saved.
Here is the key: Catch dry mouth early and get protective factors into place. Protective factors include fluoride varnish, custom fluoride trays, high concentration fluoride toothpaste, more frequent dental cleanings, silver diamine fluoride, adequate hydration, salivary stimulants, and the CariFree system.
Do not wait for the effects of Sjogren’s Syndrome to start destroying your teeth. If you have dry mouth, seek treatment quickly; time is of the essence.
If you know you’re suffering from the effects of Sjogren’s Syndrome, contact 58 Dental today and speak with a member of the team to set up a consultation to determine the best course of action for you.
