Are Your Medications Affecting Your Oral Health?
When we are prescribed medication for an illness or a medical condition, the doctor or pharmacist may mention the side effects and how they might affect your overall health. You would be surprised at the amount of medications, prescription and over-the-counter, that can affect your oral health as well. We want to share some of the common side effects that medications can have on your oral health.
Dry Mouth
One of the most common side effects of medications is dry mouth. This is especially common with cold and allergy medications. Dry mouth is a condition in which the amount of saliva in your mouth is drastically reduced. Saliva is useful in washing down lingering food and bacteria after eating. When adequate saliva is not present, you are prone to decay and gum disease. To help combat dry mouth, we recommend increasing your water intake.
Abnormal Bleeding
There are certain medications, such as aspirin, blood thinners, and birth control pills, that can cause abnormal bleeding in the mouth. This is typically only experienced with brushing and flossing your teeth. It is extremely important that you share your medical history with our team before a cleaning or treatment. We may need to adjust your medications or make certain adjustments depending on the medication.
Be Honest About Your Oral Health
Each time you visit our office for a hygiene examination or treatment, be sure to notify our team of any changes to your overall health, additions or changes to your medication. There are some medical conditions that require antibiotics to be taken before treatment. There are also medications that may need to be decreased or stopped before treatment. Your overall and oral health is our top priority, and we cannot treat you unless we know it is safe.
The next time you are prescribed medication, remember to ask how it can affect your oral health. If your doctor or pharmacist can’t answer your questions, don’t hesitate to call our office located in Kaufman, TX. We are happy to help!
