Medications should make you healthy by eliminating disease, but this is not always the case. Some medicines may cause adverse side effects on your overall health, while some will affect your mouth alone. Antihistamines, decongestants, asthma drugs, and hypertension drugs are examples of such medications. While treating underlying medical conditions, these medicines negatively impact oral health by causing cause dry mouth, enlarged gums, and tooth decay, among other complications.
Dry Mouth
Most medications will cause mouth dryness. Saliva is crucial as a cleaning agent and taking certain medicines will interrupt its normal flow. With a dry mouth, you will be at a higher risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Drugs that can potentially dry your mouth include antihistamines, painkillers, decongestants, and hypertension medication. If you experience mouth dryness after taking these drugs, you should sip water or chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva flow.
Enlarged Gums
Medication such as antiseizure and immunosuppressant can cause gingival hyperplasia, a condition characterized by gum enlargement. Enlarged gums can also result from poor oral hygiene. Symptoms that accompany gum enlargement include pain, bad breath, and inflammation. If you experience Gingival hyperplasia, you should contact us for advice on maintaining your mouth clean despite the swelling and pain.
Tooth Decay
Lozenges and most cough syrups have high sugar content. Cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth will feed on these sugars and release acids in the mouth. This acid will then corrode your enamel and increase your risk of tooth decay. Thus, where possible, consider sugar free alternatives to treat sore throat and coughs. Alternatively, you can rinse your mouth after medication or brush your teeth to prevent these sugars' accumulation in your mouth. Other effects of medicines on your dental health include tooth discoloration, altered taste, bleeding, and bone loss. For more details on the impact of medication on your oral health, contact our office today.
Dentist Tigard, OR | Dental Blog - Lincoln Center Smiles Dr. Saklofsky has created an educational blog as a resource for our patients. If you like an article or the dental blog in general please share it to social media, then call (971) 317-9499 to make an appointment. Lincoln Center Smiles, 10500 SW Greenburg Rd, Suite 3, Portland, OR 97223-1406; (503) 598-0898; sakdental.com; 12/6/2024; Associated Words: dentist Tigard OR;
Medications should make you healthy by eliminating disease, but this is not always the case. Some medicines may cause adverse side effects on your overall health, while some will affect your mouth alone. Antihistamines, decongestants, asthma drugs, and hypertension drugs are examples of such medications. While treating underlying medical conditions, these medicines negatively impact oral health by causing cause dry mouth, enlarged gums, and tooth decay, among other complications.