Dry Mouth: A Hallmark Symptom of Sjögren’s Syndrome

Dry Mouth and Sjögren’s Syndrome

What is Dry Mouth?
Dry mouth, usually called ‘xerostomia’ (zeer-oh-stomia), is a common symptom most often caused by a decrease in the amount or quality of saliva. Almost every Sjögren’s syndrome patient experiences some degree of dry mouth.

Dry mouth has many causes including:

  • prolonged use of many prescription drugs including certain antihistamines, antihypertensives, and antidepressants
  • chronic diseases such as Sjögren’s syndrome, sarcoidosis, hepatitis C, diabetes, or depression
  • medical treatments such as radiation therapy to the head and neck or bone marrow transplantation
About Saliva
Saliva is an essential body fluid for protection and preservation of the oral cavity and oral functions. It is produced by the three pairs of major salivary glands and hundreds of minor salivary glands. Its value is seldom appreciated until there is not enough. Saliva is mostly water, but it also contains over 60 substances, which:
  • protect, lubricate and cleanse the oral mucosa
  • aid chewing, swallowing and talking
  • protect the teeth against decay
  • protect the mouth, teeth, and throat from infection by bacteria, yeasts, and viruses
  • support and facilitate our sense of taste 
Warning Signs and Symptoms of Dry Mouth
Since saliva plays such an important role in the oral cavity, decreased salivation can lead to many problems. If this condition persists for months or years, a patient may develop oral complications such as difficulty swallowing, severe and progressive tooth decay, oral infections (particularly fungal), or combinations of these.

As a result, detecting the early signs of dry mouth is critical. The dentist and/or dental hygienist can be instrumental in detecting one of the earliest signs, possibly before the patient is even aware of his or her dry mouth, by observing the amount of saliva pooled under/around the tongue during dental procedures. Little or no pooling of the saliva may indicate the patient is beginning to suffer from dry mouth. Other early signs to look for would be dental decay located at the necks of teeth next to the gums or on the chewing edges of teeth.

Symptoms of dry mouth can include difficulty swallowing food (especially dry food) without a drink, a change in the sense of taste, a burning sensation or pain in the mouth, difficulty talking or eating certain foods, or some combination of these.

Diagnosing Dry Mouth
It is important to determine if dry mouth is caused by a change in salivary function and the severity of any salivary impairment. Dry mouth is diagnosed by both dentists and physicians.

History — Specifics of the complaint of dry mouth are obtained: duration, frequency, and severity. The presence of dryness at other sites (eyes, nose, throat, skin, vagina) is documented. A complete medical and prescription drug history is taken.

Examination — Major salivary glands are palpated for the presence of tenderness, firmness, or enlargement. The amount and quality of saliva coming from the ducts inside the mouth are assessed, and the absence of saliva or presence of dry or reddish oral mucosa is noted. Active dental decay is evaluated.

Salivary flow rate — The amount of saliva produced during a specified amount of time may be measured. The test is non-invasive and painless.

Scintigraphy — Performed in the hospital, this test measures the rate at which a small amount of injected radioactive material is taken up from the blood by the salivary glands and secreted into the mouth. It is another method to measure salivary flow rate.

Biopsy of minor salivary glands — A small, shallow incision is made inside the lower lip to remove at least four of these glands. A pathologist then examines them for changes characteristic of the salivary component of Sjögren’s syndrome.

Treating Dry Mouth

Reduce oral symptoms and increase salivary secretion
Two prescription drugs (pilocarpine/Salagen® and cevimeline/Evoxac®) reduce symptoms of dry mouth and increase salivary secretion for a few hours in most patients taking them. Both drugs have side effects; they may not prevent tooth decay and are not suitable for everyone. Consult with your doctor before using these prescription medications. Ask your doctor(s) if any prescription medications you are taking may be contributing to your symptoms of dry mouth. Ask if those that do so can be substituted or discontinued.

Treat and prevent dental decay
Brush after every meal and floss your teeth daily; use a fluoride-containing toothpaste. When brushing is not possible, chewing gum (containing no sugar) after eating will stimulate saliva and may decrease your risk of tooth decay. It will also help to wash away food debris. At a minimum, rinsing your teeth with water immediately will also help.

Decrease your risk of tooth decay by decreasing your amount and frequency of fermentable carbohydrate intake, especially sticky foods such as cookies, bread, potato chips and candy.

Ask your dentist

  • how frequently you need to be checked for early decay.
  • for specific instructions regarding your oral hygiene.
  • about the possible need for homeand/ or professionally-applied topical fluoride (in addition to the fluoride contained in your daily toothpaste). Topical fluoride gels usually require a personalized ‘tray’ for best delivery to your teeth. In some cases, a fluoride varnish may be applied by your dentist.
  • if you should use a remineralizing agent. 
Treat oral candidiasis (thrush) when necessary
A red appearance of the oral mucosa and/or a burning sensation in your mouth may indicate you have an oral infection by the yeast Candida. You should see your dentist or physician to make a definite diagnosis and prescribe an appropriate drug(s). These infections often recur but can be successfully treated as often as necessary.

Coping with Dry Mouth
Keep your mouth moist by sipping small amounts of water during the day (carry a small water bottle when away from home). However, excessive sips of water can reduce the oral mucus film and increase symptoms.

Avoid frequent intake of acidic beverages (such as most carbonated and sports replenishment drinks). Drink water while eating to aid chewing and swallowing. Caffeine can increase the sensation of oral dryness; be aware that many soft drinks contain caffeine.

Salivary secretion can be increased by chewing gum containing no sugar or sucking sugarfree hard candies or a cherry pit. Xylitol is a desirable sweetener present in some chewing gums and hard candies which has been shown to help prevent dental decay.

Many over-the-counter saliva substitutes are available. Their effects are temporary but helpful to those with very dry mouth. Using a saliva substitute instead of drinking water prior to sleep, and if awakened, prevents excessive urination that causes sleep disruption.

Dry cracked lips may be soothed by an oil-based balm or lipstick placed over previously moistened lips. The use of vitamin E-containing ointments may be helpful.

Increase the humidity in your home, particularly at night, by using a room humidifier.

Glossary

Dental caries: Tooth decay (cavities). Caries are caused by particular bacteria that adhere to the teeth (dental plaque) causing progressive demineralization (loss of calcium and phosphorus) of the teeth.
Fermentable carbohydrates: Sugars and simple starches (pasta, bread and rice) that oral bacteria can easily break down into sugar.

Fluoride: A naturally occurring chemical used topically and in drinking water to reduce dental decay by decreasing demineralization and increasing remineralization of the teeth.

Oral mucosa: The lining of the mouth.

Palpation: A physical examination method using light finger touch to identify the character of organs beneath the surface being touched.

Remineralizing: The process of repairing ‘early’ carious lesions by replacing lost mineral components, especially calcium and phosphate, of the tooth. The process is enhanced by fluoride and by products containing an active remineralizing agent.

Salivary glands: Three pairs of major salivary glands produce the majority of saliva: parotid glands, located in the cheek in front of the ears; submandibular glands, located under the lower jaw; and sublingual glands, located under the tongue. In addition, the hundreds of minor salivary glands located throughout the mouth are uniquely important for their lubricating function. All salivary glands are affected in Sjögren’s syndrome.

Classes of medications that commonly cause dry mouth (not a comprehensive list):

  • Any drug with anticholinergic properties
  • Antihypertensives
  • Antidepressants/Antihistamines/Antiemetics
  • Antipsychotics
  • Decongestants
  • Diuretics
  • Pain medications

Dry Mouth Brochures Available by Request
The contents of this page come from our Dry Mouth Brochure which was created as a collaborative effort between the Foundation’s Publications Committee and Medical and Scientific Advisory Board. Publication was made possible by an educational grant from Cadbury Adams USA, LLC, makers of Trident.

If you are a doctor that is interested in having a packet of brochures to display in your office, contact the Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation office toll free at (800) 475-6473.