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Sjögren's Syndrome and Your Mouth

Sjögren's syndrome is a long-term condition that dries the mouth and eyes. Less saliva means more risk of tooth decay and thrush. Here is what it is, how it is diagnosed and treated, and how to look after your mouth.

Updated September 2026·By the OHA editorial team·7 min read·How we write
Key takeaways
  • Sjögren's syndrome, also called Sjögren's disease, is a long-term autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the glands that make tears and saliva.
  • The main symptoms are a dry mouth and dry eyes. Many people also have tiredness and joint or muscle pain.
  • With less saliva, the teeth lose much of their natural protection, so tooth decay, gum disease and oral thrush are more likely.
  • There is no cure, but treatment can ease the symptoms. Care is usually led by a rheumatologist.
  • Brush with fluoride toothpaste, sip water through the day, limit sugar, and see your dentist regularly. The NHS suggests every 6 months.

The NHS describes Sjögren's syndrome as a condition where the glands that produce fluid, such as tears and saliva (spit), stop working properly, and says treatments can help ease the symptoms. The US National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) says it is pronounced "SHOW-grins".

Syndrome or disease?

Both names are in use. The NHS and healthdirect Australia call it Sjögren's syndrome. NIDCR, the US National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) and the Better Health Channel (Victoria) now call it Sjögren's disease. They mean the same condition.

What is Sjögren's syndrome?

It is an autoimmune condition: healthdirect explains that the immune system attacks the body's own healthy cells, typically the glands that produce tears, saliva and sweat. NIAMS and MedlinePlus say it can also affect other parts of the body, including the joints, lungs, kidneys and nerves. It can happen on its own or alongside other autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus (NIAMS).

The cause is not known. The NHS, NIDCR and the Better Health Channel say genes may play a part, possibly with a trigger such as a viral or bacterial infection, and the NHS also mentions hormones.

Who gets it? Mostly women. NIDCR says women are nine times more likely to have it than men. The sources describe the typical age a little differently: NIAMS says it is most common in people in their 40s and 50s, NIDCR says most people are over 50 when first diagnosed, and healthdirect says it is more common in people over 40.

What are the symptoms?

The NHS says symptoms vary from person to person, and can get worse for a time (flare-ups) and then better (remission).

In the mouth

  • A dry mouth. NIDCR says your tongue and throat may feel dry, and chewing and swallowing may be difficult or painful. NIAMS says your mouth may feel chalky and you may have trouble speaking and tasting.
  • Swollen glands in your cheeks, neck and under your jaw, which are the salivary glands (NHS).
  • An unpleasant taste caused by stomach acid coming up (acid reflux), according to the NHS. See bad taste in your mouth.

In the eyes

NIDCR says your eyes may burn or itch or feel as if there is sand in them, and your vision may be blurry or bright light may bother you.

Other symptoms

The NHS and NIDCR also list extreme tiredness, aching muscles and joints, dry skin, a dry cough that does not go away, and vaginal dryness. NIDCR adds numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.

Why does it raise the risk of tooth decay and thrush?

NIDCR says saliva helps clean your teeth and reduces the bacteria that cause decay. The American Dental Association (ADA) adds that it washes away food and helps keep the tooth surface strong.

NIAMS says that without these protective effects, people with Sjögren's may get more tooth decay and mouth infections such as candidiasis, a fungal infection also called thrush. The NHS lists tooth decay and gum disease as problems a very dry mouth can cause, and healthdirect and the Better Health Channel both list dental problems and oral thrush among the complications. The ADA says virtually everyone with Sjögren's develops a dry mouth. See dry mouth, tooth decay and oral thrush.

Looking after your mouth

This builds on the general dry mouth advice.

  • Brush with fluoride toothpaste. The NHS says 2 or 3 times a day. NIDCR says to brush your teeth, gums and tongue gently after each meal and before bed.
  • Clean between your teeth. NIDCR says to floss regularly. See cleaning between your teeth.
  • Sip water. NIDCR suggests keeping a glass of water nearby, day and night, and taking small sips regularly. The Better Health Channel says sucking ice cubes can also help.
  • Get saliva flowing with sugar-free gum or sweets (NHS, NIAMS, Better Health Channel).
  • Cut down on sugar. NIDCR says to avoid sugary foods and drinks, and to brush straight afterwards if you do have them. The NHS also advises against too much salty and acidic food and drink, such as tomatoes, citrus fruit and fizzy drinks.
  • Ask about extra fluoride. NIDCR suggests asking your dentist whether you need a fluoride mouthrinse, a fluoride gel at night or fluoride varnish painted on your teeth.
  • Use lip balm and a humidifier (NHS, NIDCR).
  • Do not smoke (NHS, NIDCR).

The NHS says a pharmacist can help with some mouth treatments, such as mouth gels and mouthwashes. If you have your own teeth, the NHS advises against acidic artificial saliva products.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take. NIAMS says some medicines make eye and mouth dryness worse. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without advice.

Dental check-ups

The NHS suggests check-ups every 6 months if you have Sjögren's, and NIDCR and NIAMS say at least twice a year, to have your teeth examined and cleaned. That can be more often than someone with a healthy mouth needs (see dental check-ups). Make sure your dentist knows you have Sjögren's.

How is Sjögren's syndrome diagnosed?

There is no single test (NIAMS). The NHS says other conditions can cause similar symptoms, so a GP will check for more common causes first and may refer you to specialists. The Better Health Channel says it can be hard to diagnose, partly because a dry mouth and dry eyes can also be side effects of medicines, such as some for depression and high blood pressure.

A rheumatologist (a doctor who specialises in autoimmune diseases and conditions of the joints, muscles and bones) often makes the diagnosis, and NIAMS says an eye doctor or a dentist may carry out some of the tests. The NHS, healthdirect and NIAMS describe tests such as:

  • blood tests, including for antibodies common in Sjögren's. NIAMS notes these antibodies alone cannot confirm it, because healthy people can have them too.
  • eye tests, such as Schirmer's test, which uses a strip of blotting paper to measure tears (Better Health Channel)
  • a saliva test, where you spit into a container for 5 minutes to see how much saliva you make (NHS)
  • scans of the salivary glands, such as an X-ray or ultrasound
  • a lip biopsy, where a small piece of tissue containing salivary glands is taken from your lip and looked at under a microscope

How is it treated?

There is no cure. NIAMS says treatment depends on which parts of the body are affected, and that care is mainly led by a rheumatologist, working with others such as your dentist, an eye specialist and your GP. healthdirect says to see your doctor or rheumatologist regularly.

For the mouth, the NHS, NIDCR and NIAMS describe:

  • artificial saliva (saliva substitutes)
  • prescription medicines that help the glands make more saliva
  • antifungal medicines for thrush (NIAMS)

For the rest of the body, NIAMS, MedlinePlus and the NHS describe eye drops and ointments, small plugs that keep tears in the eyes longer, painkillers, steroid tablets for severe joint pain, and medicines that calm the immune system. The Better Health Channel names hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate as examples.

Living with Sjögren's syndrome

The NHS says most people with Sjögren's live into old age and have the same life expectancy as the general population, though symptoms can affect daily life. It says some other problems are more likely, including, rarely, a cancer of the lymph glands called non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and your care team will make sure these are treated.

NIAMS suggests joining a support group and seeing a mental health professional if the condition is affecting you emotionally.

Support organisations
  • UK: the NHS lists Sjögren's UK (helpline 0121 478 1133) and Arthritis UK (helpline 0800 5200 520).
  • Australia: the Better Health Channel lists Sjögren's Australia, Musculoskeletal Health Australia (helpline 1800 263 265) and Arthritis Australia (1800 011 041).
  • US: NIDCR lists the Sjögren's Foundation.
When to see a doctor or dentist
  • You have a dry mouth, dry eyes, or swelling of the glands in your face or neck (healthdirect). The NHS says see a GP if symptoms are affecting your daily life.
  • You have burning, soreness or white patches in your mouth, which can be signs of thrush (NIAMS).
  • You have Sjögren's and have not had a dental check-up in the last 6 months.
Get help urgently
  • The Better Health Channel says to see your doctor straight away if your eyes become very red and painful, as this could be a sign of infection.

Frequently asked questions

Can Sjögren's syndrome be prevented?

No. healthdirect says it cannot be prevented, but there are things you can do to manage the symptoms.

Can Sjögren's syndrome be cured?

Not at present. The NHS and healthdirect both say there is no cure, but treatments can help manage the symptoms. The NHS says the treatment you need depends on your symptoms and how they affect you.

Why do I need to see the dentist more often?

With less saliva, your teeth are more likely to decay and your mouth is more prone to infections such as thrush (NIAMS). Regular check-ups, every 6 months according to the NHS, let your dentist spot problems early and advise on extra fluoride.

Sources

  1. Sjögren's syndrome, NHS, accessed September 2026
  2. Dry mouth, NHS, accessed September 2026
  3. Sjögren's syndrome, healthdirect Australia, accessed September 2026
  4. Sjogren's disease, Better Health Channel (Victoria), accessed September 2026
  5. Sjögren's disease, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIH), accessed September 2026
  6. Sjögren's disease: overview, symptoms and causes, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIH), accessed September 2026
  7. Sjögren's disease: diagnosis, treatment and steps to take, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIH), accessed September 2026
  8. Sjogren's syndrome, MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine), accessed September 2026
  9. Sjögren's syndrome, American Dental Association (MouthHealthy), accessed September 2026
  10. Xerostomia (dry mouth), American Dental Association, accessed September 2026

This article is general information about oral health. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a dentist or doctor who knows your situation. If you have pain, swelling, bleeding that does not settle, or a problem that is getting worse, see a dental professional. In an emergency, contact your local emergency service.

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