Medications That Affect Oral Health Alpharetta, GA
It is important to consider the oral-systemic link and understand how medications you are taking can affect your oral health. When deciding whether or not to perform a procedure or prescribe medication, we take a couple of things into account. Though it is easy to think of the mouth as an isolated ecosystem, the medications you take to help regulate other body systems can play a role in your oral health.
To better understand this connection, our team at Windward Parkway Dentistry in Alpharetta is here to help. Call us at (770) 814-6224 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
Cancer Medications
Cancer and chemotherapy medications can affect the teeth, gums, and jawbone. The American Dental Association (ADA) found that chemotherapy medications cause soft tissue reactions such as the development of oral sores, inflammation, and discoloration of soft tissues in the mouth. These reactions can lead to dry mouth syndrome, a condition that reduces the amount of saliva the mouth produces and can result in tissues becoming irritated and inflamed.
Dry mouth irritation can eventually lead to tooth decay, tooth loss, and gum disease as there is not enough remaining tissue in the gums. Drinking plenty of water and chewing sugarless gum can enhance saliva production and relieve some of the symptoms associated with dry mouth. Saliva substitutes are also effective in combating dry mouth.
“Dry mouth irritation can eventually lead to tooth decay, tooth loss, and gum disease as there is not enough remaining tissue in the gums.”
Behavior or Mood-Altering Drugs
Psychoactive medications refer to drugs that change the brain's function and alters a person's perception, mood, cognition, consciousness, or behavior. These medications include, but are not limited to, antidepressants, anti-anxiety, stimulants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers. Behavior and mood-altering drugs can cause dry mouth syndrome and increase the risk of tooth deterioration.
Dry mouth syndrome leads to tooth decay, tooth loss, and gum disease because of reduced saliva production. According to Better Health, lack of sufficient saliva production inhibits saliva from:
- Reducing the population of bacteria in the mouth
- Neutralizing mouth acids that cause tooth decay
- Re-mineralizing, which repairs tooth enamel (the hard surface layer that protects the tooth) that has been damaged by acids
- Clearing food particles from the teeth and gums
“Behavior and mood-altering drugs can cause dry mouth syndrome and increase the risk of tooth deterioration.”
Medication for Diabetes
Diabetes medications can alter a patient's sense of taste, known as dysgeusia. According to WebMD, dysgeusia can make food taste different or cause a metallic, salty, or bitter taste in your mouth. Taste changes can lead to insufficient nutrition due to a lack of taste and appetite, which may increase oral conditions.
Periodontal disease is the most common dental disease affecting those living with diabetes, affecting nearly 22% of those diagnosed. With age, diabetic patients experience poor blood sugar control, increasing their risk of gum disease that can also affect their ability to control blood sugar levels. Gum problems make diabetes harder to control because the patient is more susceptible to infection but less able to fight it. Treating the gums, applying a meticulous oral regimen, and having regular professional deep-cleanings can help curb and even prevent oral conditions and stabilize blood sugar levels.
“Gum problems make diabetes harder to control because the patient is more susceptible to infection but less able to fight it.”
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Regulation Medication
Cardiovascular
Certain regulatory medicines, including cardiovascular medications, cause gum enlargement, also known as gingival overgrowth. The enlargement is caused by inflammation of the gums from plaque build-up. According to Pharmacy Times, about a million North Americans are affected by drug-induced gingival overgrowth. Complete health dentists can help cardiovascular patients regulate their medications while also limiting their gum overgrowth to prevent further oral complications.
Thyroid
Patients with a thyroid imbalance often experience dry mouth syndrome, burning mouth syndrome, increased cavity development, enlarged tongue and gums, slow-healing mouth sores, delayed or rapid tooth growth, and osteoporosis. Thyroid medications alter the taste senses as well, which could limit a patient's nutritional intake. Drugs that balance hormone levels may increase incidences of mouth sores, tooth decay, and difficulty swallowing.
“Certain regulatory medicines, including cardiovascular medications, cause gum enlargement, also known as gingival overgrowth.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. How do cancer medications affect oral health?
Q. How can psychoactive medications result in tooth loss?
Q. How is diabetes affected by oral hygiene?
Q. How do regulatory medications affect oral health?
Q. How can I maintain good oral health while taking medication?
People Also Ask
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Keeping Mouth Healthy While on Medication
It is important to know and understand the side effects resulting from a particular medication and how to reduce or eliminate them in an effort to maintain good oral health. Taking appropriate hygienic measures also decreases many general health symptoms as much of the bacteria in the mouth is cleared before entering the body.
Depending on the health condition, complete health dentists can offer insights on how to relieve dry mouth, enlarged gums, abnormal bleeding, taste changes, tissue reactions, bone loss, discoloration, and thrush infection. In most cases, patients cannot decide against taking medications, but dentists may lower their dosage or alter the medication to suit their oral needs. Patients should seek medical and dental advice regarding medications while also maintaining a proper oral hygiene regimen.
“In most cases, patients cannot decide against taking medications, but dentists may lower their dosage or alter the medication to suit their oral needs.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Medications Linked to Dental Health
Q. What can I do to improve my oral health while taking psychotropic medications?
A. Once you are aware of the connection between your medications and your oral health, you can make changes to your routine that can positively impact your dental condition. According to the Oral Health Foundation, changes as simple as reducing your sugar intake, and brushing with fluoride toothpaste, can help mitigate the impact of your medications.
Q. What kinds of heart medications can cause changes in my gum tissue?
A. The most common cardiovascular medication that contributes to gum changes is known as a calcium channel blocker. Examples of calcium channel blockers include verapamil, amlodipine, and nifedipine. If you are noticing changes in your gums from a medication, your dentist may be able to discuss an alternative medication with your physician.
Q. What types of medications affect oral health?
A. Many different types of medications affect the oral cavity. It also largely depends on the form and dosage. Among them are antihistamines, decongestants, painkillers, high blood pressure medications, muscle relaxants, drugs for urinary incontinence, Parkinson's disease medications, and antidepressants.
Q. What can my dentist do if I am taking a medicine that affects my oral health?
A. Your total health dentist considers your oral-systemic connection when conducting assessments of your oral health. If you are taking a medicine that impacts your oral health, your dentist may be the first clinician to identify this. If we do so, we will work with your prescribing physician to make changes or adjustments as needed. We can also consider medications, such as saliva substitutes to help with symptoms.
Q. Does the dentist work with primary care doctors to alter medications?
A. Patients who require treatment may need to alter their medications in order to undergo the procedure. We can communicate with your doctor to suggest certain medications that are safer or measures to take until you recover from the procedure. We can also work with you on questions to ask your doctor about oral medications.
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Dental Terminology
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If you are interested in better understanding complete health dentistry and effects of medication, call us at 770-814-6224 to set up an appointment.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2024
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