Sjogren's syndrome

In Sjogren's syndrome, which is characterized by chronic inflammation of the lacrimal and salivary glands (Sjogren, 1933), there is commonly dryness of the lips and the oral mucosa with the secretion of thick, ropy saliva. The symptoms may be sufficiently severe to interfere with mastication and produce angular cheilitis and atrophy of the oral mucosa. An increase in the incidence of dental caries following the development of xerostomia due to Sjogren's syndrome has been reported by Bloch, Buchanan, Wahl, and Bunim (1965). It is generally accepted that the composition of the commensal oral flora is controlled by complex interactions among the oral microorganisms themselves (Bjornesjo, 1950), the host tissues, and the mechanical washing action and antimicrobial activity of saliva (Bibby, Hine, and Clough, 1938; Van Kesteren, Bibby, and Berry, 1942; Kerr and Wedderburn, 1958; MacFarlane and Mason, 1972). If one of these factors is greatly altered, for example, virtual cessation of salivary secretion, changes might be expected to occur in the oral flora. This study was carried out to discover whether a difference existed in the oral flora of patients with xerostomia due to Sj6gren's syndrome compared with normal healthy controls.