Sjögren’s Syndrome

The doctors of Vista Dental in Medicine Hat are determined to provide patients with all sorts of medical needs with top-quality dental care. Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is one problem with serious implications for oral health, and that’s particularly true in cases caused by the autoimmune disorder Sjögren’s Syndrome.

An autoimmune disorder is one in which the body’s immune system attacks the body. It is unclear what causes Sjögren’s Syndrome but it has a high comorbidity with lupus, which usually appears in people who are genetically predisposed to it after they suffer trauma or an infection. Sjögren’s Syndrome affects the entire body but it first dries out the tear and saliva ducts. Without saliva, food debris accumulates in the mouth, allowing bacteria and fungi to rapidly multiply. Dryness also disrupts the functioning of the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off infection.

Testing for Sjögren’s is done with a sample of the patient’s salivary glands. These are plucked from the inside of the patient’s lower lip during a procedure called a biopsy. Only a local anesthetic is necessary for this, although suturing is sometimes done afterward. If Sjögren’s is confirmed as the cause of dry mouth, the patient will need to begin using saliva substitutions and may be prescribed medication to stimulate additional saliva production.

Vista Dental is located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 403-548-7077 or visit Vista Dental MH.