Are Your Medications Affecting Your Dental Health?
Most of us have to take some form of medicine at some point in our lives, whether it’s a long-term, prescription medication or a temporary round of antibiotics. But did you know that many medications that are beneficial to your overall health can have a negative effect on your oral health? Both prescription and non-prescription drugs can impact your teeth and gums in various ways.
Dry Mouth
One of the most common side effects of over-the-counter and prescription medications is dry mouth. When you don’t produce enough saliva, you can’t effectively neutralize the acids that attack your teeth and gums. As a result, plaque acids dissolve minerals in our teeth, increasing the risk of tooth decay and infection. A dry mouth can also irritate your gums, leading to inflammation and sores. The technical term for this is Xerostomia and is very common among geriatric and senior citizen patients.
Among the more than 400 medications linked to dry mouth are antihistamines and decongestants, muscle relaxers, some antidepressants, and some pain relievers. Prescriptions for Parkinson’s disease and urinary incontinence can also cause a dry mouth. Ask your primary care physician is the medications you are taking have dry mouth as a side effect and they can help educate you about the treatment plan.
Bleeding Gums
Prescription anticoagulants and aspirin are blood thinners. Warfarin (Coumadin) are very common blood thinners. Some individuals experience bleeding gums after brushing or flossing when they take these medications. If you are prone to gum disease or experience continued inflammation and bleeding, discuss this with your doctor, and be sure your dentist examines your teeth and gums to ensure there are no other issues that need to be addressed. The new anti-platelet medications such as Eliquis (apixaban) and Xarelto (rivaroxaban) are both FDA-approved drugs used to prevent and treat blood clots in adults but cause significant excess bleeding during dental treatments. Make sure to tell Dr. Forcioli if you are taking these medications.
Thrush
Thrush (oral candidiasis) is an oral fungal infection often found in infants but also seen in adults who use steroid inhalers. Soft, white patches or lesions develop on the tongue, cheeks, and roof of the mouth and will need to be treated with medication. Many people who use oral inhalers to treat respiratory conditions, including asthma, develop thrush due to the steroids suppressing the immune system. If you need to use a steroid inhaler, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after each use.
Puffy or Overgrown Gums
Anti-seizure and immunosuppressant drugs (medicines used to minimize organ transplant rejection) can cause “gingival overgrowth,” which may look like puffy or swollen gums. There are also some heart medications, including calcium channel blockers, which may cause gum overgrowth. Continue with the medications as the side effects related to oral health are minor compared to the disease process they are treating.
Mouth Sores or Gum Discoloration and Altered Sense of Taste
Blood pressure medications, birth control pills, and chemotherapy can all affect the mouth’s soft tissues, leading to discoloration of the gums, tongue, or insides of the cheeks. Sores may also occur, particularly in response to immunosuppressive cancer treatments.
Although not a true dental health issue, an altered sense of taste can indirectly affect your oral health. When foods taste metallic or bitter due to medications, you may not eat well or avoid certain foods. Medicines that can change the taste of foods include some drugs for central nervous system issues, respiratory inhalants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), and nicotine patches.
Cancer Treatments
Cancer treatments can have a profound effect on your dental health. It is natural to focus on getting better, and the complexities of living with cancer when diagnosed, but talking to your dentist about your cancer treatment plan is essential to protecting your dental health. Nearly all cancer treatments will affect your teeth and gums in some way. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Forcioli before beginning your cancer treatment, if possible, so that he can devise a plan to help you maintain your dental health as you go through cancer treatments. At Forcioli Family Dentistry we are highly trained in treating medically complex patients including those taking chemotherapeutics.
At your next visit to Forcioli Family Dentistry, please provide us with an updated list of all prescription, non-prescription, and alternative medications you take. We can then give you tips on minimizing any side effects and watch for signs of potential problems.
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on Oct 1st, 2024
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