Sjorgren's syndrome is a chronic condition that can have a lasting impact on your life. If you have the condition, it is imperative that you take action to control its symptoms. If you have been recently diagnosed with the disease, here is what you need to know. 

What Is Sjorgren's Syndrome?

Sjorgren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system destroys glands in the body that are responsible for producing moisture. This can include your salivary glands and cause extreme dry mouth and throat. As a result, your dental health can deteriorate and result in an increased risk of developing cavities, tooth loss, and mouth sores. You can also develop a yeast infection in your mouth. 

What Are the Treatment Options?

Treatment for Sjorgren's syndrome focuses on treating the symptoms and managing the condition. To date, there is no cure for it; however, it is possible to reduce the possibility of experiencing a dental problem due to it. 

To combat dry mouth, your dentist can prescribe medication to help increase the production of saliva. If you have a yeast infection in the mouth, your dentist can recommend an antifungal medication to use. When determining the right level of treatment for your symptoms, your dentist might have to try a combination of medications. It is important that you keep him or her informed about the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment. 

What Can You Do?

Good dental care is always important, but even more so when you have Sjorgren's syndrome. In addition to your regular brushing and flossing, you might need to make some changes to the dental care products you use. For instance, biotene toothpaste and oral gels are best for dry mouth. If dry mouth continues to be a problem, you can use artificial saliva until your own production is improved. You could also use an antibacterial mouthwash to help reduce the possibility of dental cavities developing. 

You need to increase the amount of water you drink. Sugar-free gums can also encourage the production of saliva and also help reduce the possibility of cavities developing. Use chewing gum with xylitol, which has been shown to help with decreasing harmful bacteria in the mouth. 

Talk to your dentist about your symptoms and other steps you can take to keep your dental health at its best. Instead of suffering through dry mouth and other symptoms, you can receive help to manage your symptoms better.