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Can The Medications You Are Taking Affect Your Oral Health?

Nov 30, 2022

Half of all Americans are taking prescription medications of some kind according to the Centers of Disease Control (CDC), which also reports that more than half are also taking vitamins or other dietary supplements. 


Side effects can be common even when taking these medications properly under medical supervision. It is important to keep our staff informed of any medications you are taking and to update us if your medication protocol has changed. We are currently updating all our medical records using our new systems whenever patients come in for an appointment to ensure we stay current with this important information.


Some of the common side effects of medications that can affect your oral health include:


Abnormal Bleeding: Excessive bleeding is a common side effect of some medications. The clotting factors commonly relied on are compromised and can cause excessive bleeding during oral surgery, periodontal surgery and even a deep cleaning. We need to know if you are taking any medications where bleeding can be an issue prior to treating you.


Fungal Infection: Oral Candidiasis, commonly known as Thrush, is a whitish coating of the mouth tissues that can also bleed when rubbed. This is a result of excessive antibiotic use or the use of oral inhalers for asthma. It is important to rinse your mouth out with water after using an inhaler so as not to leave a residue on the soft tissues of the mouth that cause this condition. 


Gum Tissue Swelling: Certain medications can cause fibrosis or thickening of the gums around the teeth. The thickening itself is not a problem, but it may lead to decay and inflammation as the teeth cannot be cleaned properly. If your gums are thick and swollen from meds, special attention must be given to avoid problems. If we see this condition at your dental cleaning appointments, we will counsel you on the best course of action.


Dry Mouth: One of the greatest concerns caused by many medications can result in this condition. Dry mouth caused from decreased saliva production can cause severe decay, periodontal disease and infection. Often one might notice a cotton like feel in the mouth and frequent difficulty eating as saliva is needed. There are products we can offer patients that can help with this problem. When acute, dry mouth must be addressed as excessive, deep decay results from this condition.


Burns: Some people will place Aspirin on their tissue around a tooth if there is pain. Aspirin does not work this way and will cause even more pain when the tissue burns and sloughs. Aspirin is meant to be digested only. Never place meds directly on your mouth tissue unless specifically directed by your health provider. 


We are here to help with these issues and answer your questions about any specific intraoral problems. Our goal is to help you maintain optimal oral health.

Copyright © Richard Bienenfeld, DDS. PS.

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