Does dentist do the mouth tests for Sjogren's or is that done by someone else?

[preciousgirl]

I was wondering if it is the dentist or some other doctor/specialist that does the oral tests that discover if you have Sjogren's Syndrome? I've seen that there are like 4 tests that can be done to check if you have dry mouth due to Sjogren's and I don't know who does those tests? Does a dentist do all of them or does some other doctor/specialist( do all of them(who/what type)? I am going to the dentist on Monday and I would like to know if these are tests that he can do for me or if I need to get them done by someone else? I would appreciate if anyone could tell me who does these tests? Also, if you got diagnosed by oral tests-which doctor did them and which test confirmed you had Sjogren's? Also, if you got diagnosed by other tests, which ones diagnosed(showed) it in you?

[preciousgirl]

Thanks for your help. I will ask to be tested for Sjogren's more extensively next time I go to Rheum.I really do think I had the dry mouth and excessive thirst before I was on any meds but it def has gotten worse since I've been on meds. Also, I've just recently  had the sores on my tongue that won't go away....is that a symptom of Sjogren's? The dentist just gave me something called MI PASTE for dry mouth and said if that didn't make it feel better then maybe he could prescribe an artificial saliva for me(I'm thinking maybe one of the meds that makes you salivate more?). He didn't even say anything about the sores on my tongue which I didn't understand. He didn't do any tests on me though so I'm just going to mention it to my Rheum who sees me for Fibro and ask him if he'll do/order any tests for me for Sjogren's. I just hope he will as I am worried I may have it since these symptoms are bothering me so much.

[mercygracious]

My opinion would be a Rheumatologist is probably the doctor who is most knowledgeable of this and can diagnose it more properly.  You could try a ENT as well.  As far as whether or not they can tell if it is from meds or Sjogren's I think you just need to reflect back on when you started on the meds and ask yourself if this is when you started getting the dry mouth or did you have dry mouth before meds.  Otherwise, they may be able to differentiate but I am not sure on that.  I guess you would have to ask them to be sure.  Good Luck

[preciousgirl]

Also, can a doctor/dentist still find out if you have Sjogren's if you are also on medications that can give you dry mouth as a side effect? I mean can they tell if your dry mouth is from Sjogren's too or if it is just the medication? I ask this bc it is possible that you have dry mouth not only as a side effect of medication, but also bc you have Sjogren's. But can the tests still diagnose this and tell whether or not it's from Sjogren's in people who take meds that dry out your mouth?