The Effects of Fluoride Varnish in SjöGren’s Disease Patients

Objectives: Sjögren’s disease is an autoimmune disorder affecting the lacrimal and salivary glands, resulting in dry eyes and dry mouth. Saliva helps to remineralize teeth, neutralize harmful bacteria, and wash away food and bacteria. With significantly decreased salivary flow, Sjögren’s patients are at a significantly increased risk of developing dental caries. This often leads to patients having to undergo extensive dental treatments, resulting in a high cost of dental care. Fluoride varnish is a topical fluoride used to prevent tooth decay. The aims of this study are to compare the prevalence of dental caries in Sjögren’s patients who use fluoride varnish to those who do not use fluoride varnish and to compare the amount of money spent on dental care between groups.
Methods: The Sjögren’s Foundation in collaboration with The Harris Poll, conducted a survey in 2021 called “Living with Sjögren’s”. A deidentified version of the results were analyzed. We compared respondents who currently use or have ever used fluoride varnish with those who have not for prevalence of dental caries and money spent on dental care.
Results: Of the total respondents, 23.8% currently use fluoride varnish and 24.4% have used fluoride varnish in the past. Thirty-two percent of respondents reported having tooth decay. There is a significant association between using fluoride varnish and having tooth decay (p < 0.001). There is also a significant difference in the mean amount spent on dental care between those who have ever used dental varnish and those who have not (p < 0.001) as well as between those who currently use fluoride varnish and those have never used it (p <0.001). See table 1.
Conclusions: Our data suggests that fluoride varnish is used after caries occur. It is critical to use preventive measures early in Sjögren’s patients to prevent dental caries.