Medication And The Effect On Oral Health
When you visit our office for an oral hygiene examination or dental procedure, we always ask about any changes to your medical history. It is extremely important that patients share everything they can about their medical history, including any diagnosis, procedures, or medication they may be taking. Your medical history and the medications you take can impact the way we treat you. For example, there are certain medical conditions that require the patient to take antibiotics before receiving any form of treatment, including a cleaning. You may be surprised to learn that many medications, although beneficial to your overall health, can cause problems with your oral health. We want to share some of the common side effects and tips to help your oral health:
Dry Mouth
One of the most common side effects of medication is dry mouth. Dry mouth occurs when there is not enough saliva produced to keep the mouth moist. Saliva is necessary to reduce the amount of harmful bacteria that remains after eating and drinking. Many medications, including prescription and over-the-counter, list dry mouth as one of the side effects. When there is insufficient saliva in the mouth, it can lead to issues such as tooth decay and gum disease. One way to help prevent dry mouth is by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
Abnormal Bleeding
There are certain medications, such as aspirin, blood thinners, and birth control pills, that can cause abnormal bleeding in the mouth. This can happen regularly when brushing and flossing your teeth. Bleeding can also be a problem during a cleaning or treatment. This is one of the reasons 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 changes to your treatment plan.
The next time you are prescribed medication, remember to ask how it might affect your oral health. If your doctor or pharmacist can’t answer your questions, don’t hesitate to call our office, which is located in New Braunfels, TX. We are happy to help!
