You’ve been prescribed a brand new treatment by your physician. . . may it probably have an effect on your oral well being? It’s widespread for drugs to trigger unwanted effects throughout the physique — together with the mouth. These unwanted effects can result in a rise in your likelihood of creating tooth decay, making it a precedence to remain educated on which drugs may put you at greater threat.
Frequent Oral Aspect Results of Medicines
There are a number of widespread oral unwanted effects that you could be end up experiencing while you begin a brand new treatment. These can embrace:
- Dry mouth: Some drugs could cause a change within the quantity of saliva your mouth produces. Saliva helps hold meals from accumulating round your tooth and neutralizes the acids produced by plaque. Once you undergo from dry mouth, this will enhance your threat of creating cavities. Many generally used drugs are placing you at a better threat of experiencing tooth decay. These drugs can embrace antihistamines, antihypertensives, antidepressants, stimulants, benzodiazepines, and extra.
- Oral thrush: This an infection could cause soreness or redness, lesions on the tongue, and ache whereas consuming or swallowing. That is commonest when taking sure drugs via an inhaler, so it’s vital to rinse your mouth out when you’ve used it.
- Metallic style: Sure drugs — together with antibiotics, blood stress drugs, diabetes treatment, and extra — could cause a metallic style in your mouth. This is because of the truth that your physique absorbs the medication and it then comes out within the saliva. This symptom can be prevalent in those that are affected by dry mouth.
Discussing Medicines with Your Dentist
Whereas it’s vital to speak to your physician when unwanted effects like these start to occur, it’s additionally simply as vital to speak to your dentist or hygienist. Making them conscious of the drugs you’re taking and the unwanted effects you might be experiencing can permit them to be proactive in stopping potential cavities or different oral issues from forming.
You probably have any questions relating to drugs and your oral well being, don’t hesitate to name your dentist and relay your issues to them! They’re right here to assist hold your smile wholesome.