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Dental Health
is most important.
Natural saliva contains substances that rid the mouth of the bacteria
that cause cavities and mouth infections, so good oral hygiene is
extremely important when you have dry mouth. Did you know that your
mouth should produce about 2 liters of saliva every day! Clearly,
after lubricating your mouth it is almost all swallowed. However
SS suffers do not produce the enough saliva as their saliva ducts
tend to be either badly constricted or blocked. Here's what you
can do to prevent cavities and infections:
- Visit a dentist at least three times a year to
have your teeth examined and cleaned.
- Rinse your mouth with water several times a
day. Don't use mouthwash that contains alcohol because alcohol
is drying.
- Use fluoride toothpaste to gently brush your
teeth, gums, and tongue after each meal and before bedtime. Non
foaming toothpaste is less drying.
- Floss your teeth every day.
- Avoid sugar. That means choosing sugar-free
gum, candy, and soda. If you do eat or drink sugary foods, brush
your teeth immediately afterward.
- Look at your mouth every day to check for redness
or sores. See a dentist right away if you notice anything unusual
or have any mouth pain or bleeding.
- Ask your dentist whether you need to take fluoride
supplements, use a fluoride gel at night, or have a protective
varnish put on your teeth to protect the enamel. Dental
Resources.
Diagnosis by a Dental Specialist
Sjogren's Syndrome is well understood by dentists, they seem
to know all about it. Indeed it was a dental specialist that diagnosed
me! After years of consultants, I was referred to a dental specialist,
who after listening to me for a few minutes, and after a short examination
knew that I had SS.
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