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.
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!!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re honored to hear that you felt welcomed and supported by our team. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and are grateful for your trust in our office!
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!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad you had a positive experience with our team. Providing compassionate, high-quality care is always our goal, and we truly appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback.
Dr. Thoms and staff are Amazing! My son is Autistic and he loves it there. It’s always scary to put your child with disabilities under anesthesia. So it’s a relief to have such compassionate professionals to rely upon They are so sweet and kind to him it’s so nice to have people who genuinely care.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! Our team is dedicated to creating a comfortable and supportive experience for everyone who visits our office. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback and for trusting us with your family’s care.
The Dental Anesthesia Center (DAC) is awesome. When I started there 19 years ago my dental health had deteriorated and my fears were intense. Their expertise and compassion got me back on the right dental track. I still get nervous - but things are so much better now in terms of my dental and gum health.. Don't lose hope - try the DAC!
My appointment today was for a cleaning - and a standard check of gum health etc. Carrie - as always - did EXCELLENT work. She is very kind and thorough and knowledgeable .. and patiently answers all my questions. Carrie is positive and supportive with us patients ... and provides guidance on better at-home care for our teeth and gums.
My thanks also to the office staff who are very helpful with questions or concerns.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your continued trust and kind words! We're honored to have be part of your journey. It means so much to know we've made a lasting impact—your story is truly inspiring!
We’re very thankful to have found the kind folks at the dental anesthesia center. They are patient and informative with what’s needed and how it will get done. Big shoutout to Rebekah and crew at the front desk who always help us figure out all the paperwork and scheduling. Thank you Dr. Behl for your awesome bedside manner! Highly recommend to others
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and recommendation! We’re so glad you had a positive experience with our team. We truly appreciate your support and look forward to continuing to provide compassionate, helpful care.
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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