Oral manifestations and management

Abstract

Low salivary flow rate is a significant problem in Sjögren’s syndrome (SS), which can affect patients’ general and oral health and well-being. Successful management of the long-term effects on oral health requires a systematic approach in assessing the severity of the oral dryness and the signs and symptoms of salivary gland dysfunction to enable clinicians to implement protective and palliative measures to SS patients to achieve oral comfort and adequate oral function. The use of topical fluoride for preventing dental caries and topical oral products or a cholinergic agonist medication for the relief of the dryness symptoms is recommended in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence–approved guidelines for the management of SS.