At every dental facility like Sky Dental, everything starts by examining your dental health which is the less glamorous side of treatment. However, it is this important aspect that is also the foundation for all other aspects of quality dentistry and will help in keeping your teeth for life.
Many medicines, prescribed by your healthcare professional or purchased by yourself, can adversely affect dental and oral health. Taking various medications can negatively affect the health of the soft tissues of the mouth (gums, mucous membranes of the cheeks, and tongue). The most common side effect of the medication is decreased salivation and dry mouth. Saliva helps wash away food particles from around your teeth and neutralize acids that are secreted by bacteria. These acids thin the protective hard tissue of the tooth (enamel), leading to cavities. Therefore, dry mouth significantly increases the risk of tooth decay due to the development of caries.
Inhalation of antibiotic medications
Inhalers are often used to treat colds. In this case, medicines are inhaled through the mouth, which can cause damage to the oral cavity with a fungal infection (candidiasis or thrush). Sometimes this disease can be very painful. This infection manifests itself as white patches in the mouth. To prevent the development of candidiasis, be sure to rinse your mouth after each inhalation.
Influence of hormonal agents
When taking hormonal drugs, bleeding of the gums may appear, which makes it difficult to brush your teeth. As a result, tartar deposits grow – the reasons for the development of gum pathologies. Changes in the amount of progesterone and estrogen in the body can lead to disruption of mineral metabolism. In this case, a deficiency of fluoride and calcium occurs in the blood, which ultimately affects the strength of the tooth enamel, which protects the internal tissues of the tooth.
Diuretic drugs
With some diuretics, the human body loses calcium, which is important for dental health. As a result, caries may become active. In addition, diuretic medications sometimes cause stomatitis.
Familiar aspirin
Acetylsalicylic acid negatively affects tooth enamel and irritates the soft tissues of the mouth. Therefore, take this drug very carefully without the advice of your primary care physician. It is your doctor who can advise on how to properly take this medicine without harming your health.
High sugar medications
Taking widely available medicated syrups and lozenges is not safe for the teeth. The sugar in these preparations is an excellent food for plaque bacteria. When sugar is processed, bacteria release acid that destroys tooth enamel, which leads to the development of tooth decay. These are just a few examples of how medications can affect dental and oral health. It is very important that your treating dentist has accurate information about all the medications you are taking. This is necessary in order to provide you with the most effective dental care possible. Tell your dentist not only about your medications but also about your health. Especially if you have recently been ill, or you have some kind of chronic illness. Give your dentist your medical history, which includes the entire list of prescription drugs. Add your own names of medicines that you took on your own without a prescription from your doctor. Be sure to tell your dentist about any changes in your health and in the use of drugs.
Professional recommendations
While taking various medications, heed the recommendations of the experienced specialists of our dental center. With us, you will receive comprehensive advice on how to maintain the health of your teeth and oral cavity while taking medications. At the reception, the dentist will acquaint you with all methods of protecting teeth and soft tissues from the negative effects of drugs. If you already have problems, you will be prescribed effective therapies to restore oral and dental health.