XEROSTOMIA IN SJÖGREN'S SYNDROME: IMPLICATIONS FOR ORAL HEALTH AND DENTAL MANAGEMENT – A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

 Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects the exocrine glands, leading to xerostomia and hyposalivation, with significant repercussions on oral health. This study aimed to analyze the clinical implications of hyposalivation in patients with Sjögren's syndrome and the strategies for dental management. A narrative literature review was conducted with searches in PubMed, the Virtual Health Library, SciELO and LILACS, gathering 21 publications. The findings demonstrated a higher occurrence of caries with an atypical pattern, oral candidiasis, mucosal lesions, periodontal alterations and oral microbiome dysbiosis, with a significant impact on quality of life. Dental management includes high-concentration fluoride, salivary stimulation, sialogogues, glass ionomer cements for restorations and dental implants for rehabilitation, with regular follow-up. It is concluded that dentists play a fundamental role in early diagnosis, prevention of oral complications and long-term follow-up of these patients, and that integration between Dentistry and Rheumatology is essential.