Due to alterations in salivary function, Sjögren’s patients have many dental problems. They have been found to require a greater number of dental visits, to have more decay and restorative needs, and to spend a significant amount more (2 to 3 times) on dental care.
In order to maintain the best oral health and minimize expense, you should:
- Schedule dental examinations regularly – at least twice a year.
- Brush your teeth after every meal. Prompt removal of food debris will minimize decay. Rinse your mouth with plain water if you don’t have time to brush.
- Use dental floss daily.
- Use a toothpaste containing fluoride. Discuss with your dentist using supplemental fluoride, either as a daily rinse or gel in a carrier or applied in the dental office.
- Brush your tongue with a toothbrush or tongue-scraper. Buy an electric toothbrush.
- Avoid sugary, sticky foods which promote decay-causing bacteria.
- Do not wear removable dental prostheses at night, and clean and soak them in an anti-fungal preparation daily.
- Discuss with your dentist the use of a remineralizing product to help prevent decay.
- Eat a healthful diet low in refined sugars and avoid carbohydrate-rich between-meal snacks.
- Use products to stimulate salivation (such as gums or candies) or to promote oral comfort but be certain they are sugar-free and contain xylitol as a sweetener.
- Don’t smoke – cigarettes, cigars or pipes – or use chewing tobacco.
- Take advantage of fluoride-containing and -releasing dental restorative materials.
*article courtesy of www.sjogrens.org
