Almost everyone has a prescription or over-the-counter medication they need to take. This is meant to enhance their overall being and combat any health issues. However, some medications have dental side effects that can influence the oral health of your teeth, mouth, oral mucosa and soft tissues.
We want our patients to be aware of the most prevailing side effects seen at Covington Dental Partners:
–Dry Mouth: This generally seen aftereffect can be caused by an array of medications such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, antihistamines, anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs for glaucoma, antihypertensive prescriptions and even narcotics.
–Gingival Hyperplasia: The overgrowth of gum tissue can be produced by medications for epilepsy, heart, and high blood pressure and immunosuppressant drugs.
Sense of Taste- Disturbance of taste can occur especially with the use of antidepressants.
–Oral Lesions: Lesions of the mouth can be considered as soft tissue discoloration and inflammation and are seen with medications that treat blood pressure, immunosuppressants, oral contraceptives and chemotherapy drugs.
–Abnormal Bleeding: Drugs such as aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), steroids and anticoagulants can thin a person’s blood and cause abnormal bleeding.
Tooth Discoloration– Mainly seen as a result of antibiotics, tooth discoloration is more susceptible in those under the age of 12.
–Jaw Clenching/ Teeth Grinding: These conditions can be caused by antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds, but may likely be a part of the ailment itself.
We hope that the information above may help you recognize some side effects of your medications. Dr. Sterling Whitworth and our team strongly encourage you to inform us of any medication use or changes in prescription. This allows us to improve your oral health and give supreme, enhancing dental care in Covington, Georgia. Please call 770-786-9339 to make an appointment and learn more about balancing your prescription drug use and oral health
