Whether prescribed by your doctor or bought over the counter, many medications can affect your oral health.
If you are experiencing problems with your oral health, you may want to look at the medications you are taking to see if one of them may be causing an underlying issue. Talk to your dentist if you are uncertain about what may be causing your dental problem.
What a wonderful, knowledgeable, caring staff. Excellent care given to our 26 year old special needs son. They made everything so easy and kept me updated through the whole visit. Would highly recommend.
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Dr.Hoffmann thank you so much for making everything smooth and easy your staff was awesome for it to be so early in the morning all smiles and nice facility. They make you feel comfortable and explain everything to you as they go. I will refer you to my family and friends thank you again.
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This dental practice is excellent with my daughter (25 y/o with autism). The entire team is kind, patient, and understanding. They take time to explain what will be happening and only recommend procedures that are truly necessary.
The staff never rushes and makes patients feel comfortable and supported. They are very in tune with sensory challenges. It’s clear they care deeply about creating a positive experience and treating everyone with dignity.
We heartily recommend Dr. Hoffmann and his team.
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Dr. Thom and the entire staff at the Dental Anesthesia Center were warm, friendly and welcoming to me and my husband. My husband has dementia and needed extensive dental work. Dr. Thom took the time to explain to me what needed to be done before the procedure began. My husband is now fully recovered and doing just fine. I'm so grateful that we were referred to the Dental Anesthesia Center. Thank you!!
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This is one of the best places that I have gone to for extensive dental care. The professionals there are extremely caring, and their bedside manner is beyond compare!
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There are prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements, vitamins, and minerals that can contribute to and cause oral health problems, such as dry mouth.
Side Effects of Certain Medications
Medications contribute to many oral health issues. Some of the most common side effects of certain types of medications that affect a persons oral health include:
Dry mouth
Altered taste
Abnormal bleeding
Enlarged gums
Swelling or discoloration of soft tissue
Mouth sores
Cavities
Color changes in teeth and gums
Bone loss
Thrush
Medications which Cause Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is a typical side effect of many medications. There are as many as 400 medications known to cause this condition. Saliva keeps food from collecting on your teeth and neutralizes the acids that are produced by plaque. Acids can damage the enamel on your teeth and can increase your risk for gum infections and tooth decay. Therefore, saliva is an essential part of your oral health.
The most common medications that contribute to dry mouth include:
Blood pressure medications, including diuretics
Antihistamines
Decongestants
Sedatives
Pain medications
Antidepressants
Antacids
Medicines for Parkinson’s disease
Cancer treatment medications
What to Do About Dry Mouth
There are many things you can do to combat dry mouth. If your problem is severe, you may want to talk to your doctor and see if it’s possible to change your medication. If that is not an option, or if the issue still persists, here are some helpful tips to help alleviate dry mouth symptoms:
Sip water or another type of sugarless drink throughout the day
Ask your dentist about using an artificial saliva product
Cut down or stop smoking, drinking alcohol or caffeinated drinks
Drink water or another sugarless drink while eating
Chew or suck on sugarless gum or candy to promote the production of saliva
Avoid spicy and salty foods
Use a humidifier when sleeping
It is important that your dentist is aware of the medications you are taking so that he or she can provide you with the best dental care.
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