What is Sjögren’s syndrome?
Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s lymphocytes attack their own moisture-producing glands. Lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, infiltrate and destroy these glands causing decreased production of saliva and tears. Approximately 1.2 million Australians have this condition. The majority of sufferers are women who are in their late 40s at the time of diagnosis.
Sjögren’s syndrome is difficult to diagnose because symptoms vary greatly. Patients may experience dryness in the eyes and mouth, fatigue, or joint pain, and it also mimics the natural signs of ageing.
In many patients the lack of saliva causes aggressive and rapid tooth decay. Preventive and intensive maintenance are critical to saving teeth from significant damage. Even then, the prognosis for teeth can be be poor.
