You probably know that there are a number of things you should do to protect your teeth. The health of your mouth can actually affect the health of your entire body. For this reason, we recommend being conscientious of the medications you take and telling our dentist about any medications you take.
Would you be surprised to learn that many medications could cause dry mouth? If you have dry mouth, your mouth won’t have enough saliva in it. One of the main functions of saliva is to wash away food particles and remineralize teeth. If this doesn’t occur, tooth decay can be accelerated. There are more than 400 medications that contribute to dry mouth.
Certain inhaler medications, typically used for asthma or bronchitis, can cause a yeast infection known as candidiasis. However, please note that you may be able to slow this problem by rinsing your mouth out with water after each use. Other medications can cause a buildup of gum tissue. Your gums could become swollen, tender, and even start to grow over your teeth.
Other medications can also lead to a number of serious issues. Some of these medications include high blood pressure and heart medications, antidepressants, and antipsychotic medications. Even over the counter pain medications can cause issues with your oral health.
If you’ve experienced some of these symptoms, we recommend visiting our dentist as soon as possible. Our dentist, Dr. David Umansky, and our team will be happy to examine your mouth and offer you and advice you need. If you’re interested in learning more, please don’t hesitate to contact Smile Big Pediatric Dentistry at 713-697-6453. We look forward to hearing from you!