Side-Effect Alert: Your Healthy Teeth May Be Threatened By Your Necessary Medications

Dentist Blog

Many people need to take certain medications, in order to be healthy; however, many of those prescriptions can actually cause severe oral health issues. Don't be caught off guard by this potentially devastating issue, stay one step ahead of it, instead.

What Medications May Be Causing Your Oral Health Issues

Unfortunately, the medicine you need to stay healthy may wreak havoc on your teeth and gums. Ask your physician about the side-effects and see if there aren't any alternatives to what you're taking. Although medicines affect patients differently, generally, the following types of meds are most culpable for oral health deterioration:

• Beta blockers, diuretics and other blood pressure or cardiac medicines are likely to cause dry mouth and tender gums.
• Pain meds contribute not just to dry mouth, but also enamel loss, which can really devastate a healthy set of pearly-whites.
• Treatments for acid-reflux and heartburn are also likely to harm your teeth over time.
• Regular use of antihistamines can discolor teeth and wear them down, eventually resulting in cavities.
• Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications inhibit saliva production as well, leaving your teeth vulnerable to decay.
• Many other prescriptions could be causing your dental woes, so protect yourself with more information and a good plan.

How Your Dentist Can Help

Dentists know all too well how certain medications lead to oral health problems and the sooner you have a dentist look at what's going on in your mouth, the better. Although a dentist isn't a magician, in that, they can't erase the damage, they can certainly help you gain control over the precarious situation:

• For severe decay, a dentist will most likely recommend extraction.
• Less decayed, but still problematic teeth will need to be filled.
• Other vulnerable teeth should be sealed, to protect against future decay.
• When all is said and done, your dentist may suggest partials, bridges, complete dentures and more, depending on how extensive the prescription-related damage is to your teeth and gums.
• You'll probably be given or recommended a fluoride rinse, one of the easiest ways to protect your oral health moving forward.

What You Can Do On Your Own

While you probably can't take yourself off the medication that's causing your dental problems, there are extra steps you might try to increase oral health and lessen the impact of the drug's effects:

• Follow your dentist's orders precisely and consistently.
• Find a palpable flavor of sugarless gum, as chewing will stimulate saliva production in your mouth.
• Skip the soda and sticky or hard sweet treats, opting for something less destructive and more natural instead.
• If the condition of your teeth brings your self-esteem down, consider veneers or some other cosmetic remedy which will bring back your bright and healthy smile.

Your oral health is too important to leave unguarded, even if you must continue to take the medications which are causing your dental problems. Be aware of the potential for damage as early on as possible and be proactive about your dental health all the time. Working together with your physician and dentist, you should be able to come up with a plan that will provide you with the most protection and least sacrifice.

12 April 2018