Medications — both prescription and over-the-counter — can affect your oral health in multiple ways. Today, nearly all people aged 50 and above take one or more prescription drugs on a daily basis.
Medications and Their Effects on Oral Health
- Dry mouth: Many medications including antacids, sedatives, pain medications, antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, and high blood pressure medications can all cause dry mouth. Saliva protects teeth from acid-producing bacteria. When the mouth is dry, the acid-producing bacteria can harm the surfaces of your teeth, leading to tooth decay.
- Plaque formation: Antacids, gummies, and other sweetened medications promote plaque formation and contribute to cavities over time.
- Oral fungal infections: Medications inhaled through the mouth can create conditions for cavities and fungal infections or thrush. It is important to thoroughly rinse your mouth after using an inhaler.
- Cancer treatments: Chemotherapy and radiation can affect teeth and gums. Chemotherapy can also cause mucositis — an inflammation of the moist tissue lining of the mouth leading to ulcers, mouth sores, and painful swelling.
- Gingival overgrowth: Seizure medications, immunosuppressants, and certain blood pressure medications can cause swelling of gum tissue, leading to gingivitis or gum disease.
- Metallic taste: Many medicines can cause metallic taste in the mouth, which can affect one’s appetite and taste buds.
It is important for your dentist to know all your medical history, medications you are taking, and any other medical procedures you have gone through or are going through.