The state of your smile is intricately connected with your overall health and wellbeing. Essentially, anything you put in your body has the potential to impact oral health, and that includes medication. That is why today our Elmhurst family dentists are going to be talking about dentistry-related side effects of commonly used medications. If you see your own experience reflected in this article, then it may be time to reach out to your dental team for an assessment.
Many different types of medications can create dry mouth as a side effect. Most of us don’t consider dry mouth to be a particularly “serious” side effect, but the truth is that if it is left unaddressed, dry mouth can increase your likelihood of developing gum disease, dental cavities, and halitosis. This is because bacteria thrive in dry oral environments. You actually need saliva in your mouth in order to neutralize bacteria and strengthen dental enamel. So, if you start experiencing dry mouth, please take the time to reach out to your dental team to find solutions.
Acid reflux is another side effect that can really take a toll on your smile. When you experience acid reflux, acids from your digestive tract move up through your esophagus into your mouth. Just as dietary acids weaken your enamel, stomach acids also wear down healthy teeth. Your oral tissues can also be negatively affected, and you’ll find it harder to maintain fresh breath.
Finally, there are specific medications that can actually alter the way that your teeth develop in the first place. Tetracycline is an antibiotic, that is fine for use with many adult patients. However, when pediatric patients take tetracycline, they risk developing adult teeth with aesthetic and structural problems. That is why tetracycline is not recommended for use with young patients.
Our Elmhurst dentists can answer any additional questions that you may have so that you are able to make informed decisions regarding your whole body and dental health. Give our office a call or use the Contact Us page on our website to get started.