SJOGREN'S SYNDROME

THE SJOGREN'S SYNDROME

What is Sjogren's Syndrome?

Sjogren's syndrome is a syndrome of chronic autoimmune origin, very typically expressed in dry mouth, dry eyes and chronic fatigue/tiredness.


It may be associated with other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.


What are the main symptoms?

  • Dry mouth
  • Dry eyes
  • Chronic tiredness
  • Muscle aches
  • Joint pain
  • Oral complications


How is this condition manifest in the mouth?

Because Sjogren's Syndrome is characterized by a very sharp decrease of the amount of saliva in the mouth, the main oral symptoms/complications are:

Dry mouth

Fungal infections (oral candidiasis); cavities in the neck of the tooth; other infections

Fissures in the mouth and lips: “cracked” mucosa

Difficulty in chewing

Difficulty in swallowing (needs the help of liquids)

Difficulty in speaking

Constant need to drink water


Is it possible to improve my quality of life?

Multidisciplinary and team work is essential, requiring articulation and communication between Stomatology, Rheumatology, Dentistry, General and Family Medicine, Pulmonology. Teamwork is one of the main pillars of the Instituto Português da Face. Come and see us if you suffer from these symptoms.

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