Two Ways Medication Can Affect Your Oral Health
When we think about what can lead to a problem with our oral health, we often first think about foods or habits or things like poor oral hygiene and delaying routine dental care. However, there is something else that may be helpful to your overall health but can cause a problem with your oral health — medication. While a doctor may prescribe medication to treat and prevent illness, to the benefit of your overall health, many medications can lead to serious complications with your oral health.
We believe strongly that it is important for patients to share their overall medical history with our team, which is why we ask them about medications and the dosages they take regularly. Additionally, some medical conditions require you to take antibiotics before treatment. There are also medications that may need to be decreased or stopped before treatment. Unfortunately, when it comes to the side effects of the medications our patients are taking, we have found that many of them are not aware of how their oral health can be affected. We want to share two common side effects that you may notice after taking any number of medications:
Dry Mouth
You might be shocked at how many medications list dry mouth as a side effect. Dry mouth is a condition in which your mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva, which your mouth needs to wash away food and help prevent harmful plaque from building up on your teeth. This side effect can lead to serious complications over time, such as dental decay and gum disease.
Bleeding Gums
Certain medications make you more prone to bleeding. You may notice your gums bleed easily when brushing and flossing your teeth. Bleeding gums can also be an indication of gum disease. If you have concerns, be sure to contact our office or mention them during your next hygiene examination.
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 on the Upper East Side. We are happy to help!