Oral Manifestations of Sjögren's Syndrome: Recognition, Management, and Interdisciplinary Care.

Background and

Objectives

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) causes destructive salivary gland dysfunction with substantial oral morbidity. To synthesize practical, evidence-based approaches for early recognition, initial oral management, and timely referral to dental care. Materials and

Methods

Narrative review of English-language literature from the Web of Science Core Collection and PubMed, prioritizing systematic reviews, randomized trials, and consensus guidelines.

Results

Early oral signs include rapid multifocal root and cervical caries, burning sensations, and rising dental treatment needs. Unstimulated whole saliva ≤ 0.1 mL/min supports significant hypofunction and complements the 2016 ACR/EULAR criteria. Preventive care should combine dietary counseling, salivary stimulation, and topical remineralization. Adjuncts include high-fluoride toothpaste, biomimetic hydroxyapatite dentifrices, and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP). However, evidence for fluoride varnish in SS remains mixed. Pharmacologic sialogogues require screening for contraindications.

Conclusions

Embedding oral screening, simple salivary metrics, and a structured referral pathway into rheumatology visits can reduce preventable tooth loss and improve comfort, function, and treatment adherence.