Living With Dry Mouth
Dry mouth refers to a reduced flow of saliva and is a hallmark symptom of Sjögren's syndrome. Saliva has many important functions within the mouth. It lubricates the mouth so that food can be swallowed more easily, and it provides enzymes that help aid digestion. In addition, it protects against the growth of bacteria that can affect oral health.
Living with dry mouth associated with Sjögren's syndrome may feel like a burden. You may frequently experience difficulty chewing, swallowing food, and difficulty speaking.
Helpful Tips for Dealing With Dry Mouth
Various coping methods may help relieve some of the symptoms associated with dry mouth such as:
- Keeping the mouth moist by sipping small amounts of water during the day
- Avoid frequent consumption of acidic beverages such as soft drinks and sports replenishment beverages
- Activating salivary secretion by chewing sugarless gum or sucking sugar-free candies
- Increasing the humidity in your home, particularly at night, by using a room humidifier
These methods may provide temporary relief but are not considered systemic treatments. Systemic treatment affects the body as a whole. Prescription EVOXAC is a systemic treatment, which has been shown to increase salivary flow in patients suffering from dry mouth associated with Sjögren's syndrome in 3 clinical studies. In 2 out of 3 of these studies for EVOXAC, patients also reported significant improvement in oral comfort and function. In one or more of these studies, some patients reported improvement in dryness of mouth and tongue, ability to speak without drinking liquids, and/or ability to chew, swallow, and sleep.
For more information on EVOXAC's 3 clinical studies, go to "Why EVOXAC?" under the header "About EVOXAC."
Please see important safety information for EVOXAC on this page.
