Dry Mouth and Sjogren's Syndrome: An Overview.

Dry mouth is a common condition presenting to a GP or general dental practitioner. The most common cause of a dry mouth is related to medication use, however patients with Sjogren's syndrome, a multisystem autoimmune condition, may present to their dentist rather than their GP complaining of dry mouth and dry eyes. This article explores the causes of dry mouth and how a patient can be investigated to find the cause of their dry mouth. An overview of Sjogren's syndrome, the relevant diagnostic criteria, presenting signs and symptoms, investigations and management principles are outlined.