You know rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes painful inflammation, but what’s with the dry mouth? Although it seems like a completely unrelated issue, dry mouth could mean you have a second autoimmune disorder called Sjögren’s (SHOW-grins) disease. Having RA increases your risk of developing this disease, and about 14 percent to 39 percent of those living with RA will also experience Sjögren’s.

Like RA, Sjögren’s disease may cause joint pain and fatigue, but its signature symptoms include dry mouth and dry eyes. However, Sjögren’s isn’t the only potential cause of dry mouth among people diagnosed with RA — your arthritis medication could be the culprit instead.

Below, we’ll take a look at the symptoms, causes, and treatments of dry mouth from an RA perspective.

Dry Mouth Feels Sticky and Affects Daily Activities

Dry mouth (also called xerostomia) produces a sticky “cotton mouth” feeling that can make it hard to chew, swallow, or speak clearly. The dryness can also affect your throat, causing soreness or hoarseness.

When dry mouth occurs for a long time, dental issues become more common. Normally, saliva protects the teeth from sugary particles and bacteria. When it’s absent, people tend to experience gum disease, tooth decay, thrush, mouth sores, and tooth sensitivity.

Here’s how members of myRAteam describe their dry mouth symptoms:

• “My mouth was so dry, my tongue was sticking to the top of my mouth.”
• “I have dry mouth to the point where it burns.”
• “I had dry mouth so bad it made me gag.”
• “I’ve had Sjögren’s for about 25 years, and my good teeth just started falling out.”

Medications and Sjögren’s Disease May Cause Dry Mouth With RA

When people living with RA experience dry mouth, it could be a side effect of a medication they take for their RA.

More than 500 medications affect the salivary glands, including popular arthritis medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Other RA medications known to cause dry mouth include leflunomide (Arava), etanercept (Enbrel), and adalimumab (Humira).

Doctors will also want to rule out Sjögren’s disease as the cause of your dry mouth. Sjögren’s causes the body to attack tissues that release moisture, such as mucous membranes, tear ducts, and salivary glands. Dry mouth and itchy, dry eyes are the most common symptoms of Sjögren’s disease, but it can also cause dry skin, vaginal dryness, cough, and swollen salivary glands.

According to Mayo Clinic, Sjögren’s disease is more common in women and people over the age of 40. You’re more likely to experience Sjögren’s if you also live with RA or lupus. While the exact link between this disease and RA is unknown, researchers think genetics could play a role. Sjögren’s may also be brought on by a viral or bacterial infection.

Dry mouth can also be caused by diabetes, snoring, dehydration, and anxiety. Talk to your doctor to figure out the underlying cause of your dry mouth.

Prescription and Over-the-Counter Treatments Can Soothe Dry Mouth in RA

Dry mouth can be treated with prescription mouth rinses. If you prefer a pill, your doctor may prescribe pilocarpine (Salagen) or cevimeline (Evoxac) to stimulate saliva production.

Over-the-counter products called saliva substitutes can also help moisten your mouth. They’re available as lozenges, sprays, or gels.

Here are some other ways you can increase saliva production throughout the day and prevent your tissues from drying out:

• Sip on water throughout the day, and keep a glass of water by your bed at night.
• Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free hard candy.
• Protect your lips with balm.
• Run a humidifier to soothe dry tissues.
• Stay away from caffeine and alcohol, which may worsen dry mouth.

Members of myRAteam share their experiences with managing dry mouth:

• “I have to chew chewing gum all the time to keep my mouth moist.”
• “My RA doctor gave me a prescription for my dry mouth. It works, plus I chew gum and suck on sugar-free throat lozenges.”
• “I have to put lip salve on and have water by my bed.”
• “I tried the Biotène, but it felt like an oily coating in my mouth.”

If you’re experiencing dry mouth with RA, talk to your doctor about possible solutions.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myRAteam, the social network for people with rheumatoid arthritis and their loved ones, more than 207,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with rheumatoid arthritis.

Do you experience dry mouth? What treatments have worked for you? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.