The medications we take, both prescription and over-the-counter, can significantly impact oral health in various ways. Being informed on how certain pharmaceuticals influence the mouth empowers patients and dentists to collaborate on optimizing oral care.
Reduced Salivary Flow Leading to Dry Mouth
A wide range of medications can reduce salivary flow, leading to chronic dry mouth. With less of the mouth's natural protective fluids, patients become prone to issues like cavities, gum disease, oral infections, and difficulty chewing, swallowing, and speaking. Drugs with anticholinergic properties, like antihistamines, antidepressants, or blood pressure medications, are common culprits for reduced saliva.
Increased Tooth Decay Risk
Some medicines contain sugars that interact with oral bacteria to increase cavity risk. Liquid preparations often include sugary syrups as flavoring or solubilizing agents. Drugs that decrease saliva also compromise the mouth's natural ability to neutralize and wash away cavity-causing acids. Patients taking such medicines require extra preventive measures like diligent brushing and flossing, fluoride application, and more frequent dental visits.
Gum Overgrowth and Inflammation
Certain medications like anticonvulsants, calcium channel blockers, and immunosuppressants may cause gingival overgrowth. Excess gum tissue is prone to inflammation, bleeding, and infection. Patients on these drugs must practice excellent oral hygiene and receive professional cleaning at shortened intervals to maintain healthy gums.
Jawbone Loss
Long-term use of some osteoporosis and cancer drugs can lead to the deterioration of jawbones. This may complicate future procedures like tooth extraction or dental implant placement. Patients taking these medications should inform their dentist for proper planning. Quitting smoking while on such drugs also helps lower risks.
Conclusion
With proper awareness and care coordination, patients taking any medications can keep their mouths healthy despite potential oral side effects. Understanding a drug's specific influences allows dentists to customize preventive treatment, monitoring, and maintenance. Addressing oral health impacts ultimately improves overall well-being.
About Our Upland Dental Practice | Expert Dentistry and Personalized Care | Higher Ground Dentistry Learn about our Upland dental practice. Discover our commitment to expert dentistry and personalized care to meet your unique oral health needs. Higher Ground Dentistry - Vikas Sikka, DMD, 121 West Foothill Boulevard, Suite E, Upland, CA 91786 \ 909-377-0758 \ highergrounddentistry.com \ 4/30/2024 \ Related Phrases: dentist upland \
The medications we take, both prescription and over-the-counter, can significantly impact oral health in various ways. Being informed on how certain pharmaceuticals influence the mouth empowers patients and dentists to collaborate on optimizing oral care.