The Side Effects of Medications on Oral Health

Aug 21, 2016 News

By Dr. Neromini Fagu

We take medications for solutions to certain health problems but sometimes these medications can have side effects that we may not know or even anticipate. Many medications can affect our oral health causing such things as dry mouth, swollen and tender gums, and even alter our sense of taste.
Prescribed drugs are not the only culprits that can impact our mouths. Non-prescribed medications such as vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements may also have side effects.
Some of the most common side effects from medications that affect oral health include:
•Dry mouth
•Enlarged gums
•Altered taste
•Inflammation, mouth sores, or discolouration of the soft tissues in the mouth
•Abnormal bleeding
•Tooth Decay
•Colour changes to teeth and gums
•Thrush or oral yeast infection
•Bone loss
DRY MOUTH
Saliva is very important for cleaning our mouths and if it is not flowing normally, dry mouth may develop leading to gum infection and tooth decay. There are more than 400 medications that have the potential to cause dry mouth and some of these include:
•Antihistamines
•Decongestants
•High blood pressure medications
•Antidepressants
•Sedatives
•Pain medications
•Antacids
ABNORMAL BLEEDING
Certain medications such as aspirin and anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners, are used to decrease blood clots. These medications are important in helping to prevent heart attacks and stroke but may also impact your oral health. After surgical procedures such as extractions, stopping bleeding is important, so you need to advise your dentist if you are on these medications so precautions can be taken.
ALTERED TASTE
There are certain types of medications that can make food taste differently or they can cause a metallic, salty, or bitter taste in your mouth. Taste changes are especially common among elderly patients who take multiple medications. Usually the taste changes are temporary and go away when you stop taking the medicine. Such medications include:
•Cardiovascular drugs (some beta blockers and calcium channel blockers)
•Central nervous system stimulants
•Antibiotics (such as Flagyl)
•Nicotine skin patches
•Some respiratory inhalants
SOFT TISSUE REACTIONS
Some people can develop inflammation, mouth sores, or discolouration of the soft tissues in the mouth when taking prescribed drugs. Your dentist can recommend dental care instructions to help reduce the discomfort. These are some of the drugs:
•Blood pressure medications
•Immunosuppressive agents
•Oral contraceptives
•Certain chemotherapy medications
ENLARGED GUMS
Enlarged gums, also known as gingival overgrowth, may develop when using certain medications. Extra care will be needed when brushing and flossing in order to prevent damage to the gums. Medications that may contribute to enlarged gums include:
•Antiseizure medications (such as those for epilepsy)
•Immunosuppressant drugs
•Calcium channel blockers
INCREASED RISK OF TOOTH DECAY
Many medications, especially those given to children, contain sugar. Sugar is also an added ingredient in antacid tablets, antifungal agents, cough drops, and many chewable tablets such as vitamins. Long term use of sweetened medications can lead to tooth decay. Some of these medications such as cough syrup may be available in a sugar-free alternative. You can also protect your oral health by rinsing out your mouth after using sugar containing products.
COLOUR CHANGES TO TEETH AND GUMS
Certain drugs can change the colour of your teeth or gums. For example, Minocycline – a drug used in treating acne – can cause black pigmentation on gums and a black or gray discolouration of teeth. Also, Chlorhexidine, a mouth rinse used to treat gum disease, can also stain your teeth.
ORAL THRUSH
Thrush, also known as an oral yeast infection, is caused by a fungus (Candida) and appears as white lesions on the mouth and tongue. Taking antibiotics, steroids, or chemotherapy medications can cause thrush.
It is not recommended that you avoid using certain drugs because of their side effects. However, it is important that you always keep your dentist updated with the medications you are taking so he or she can take this into consideration when providing treatment.

For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to [email protected].

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The Side Effects of Medications on Oral Health

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