Medications in Relation to Dental Health

MEDICATIONS IN RELATION TO DENTAL HEALTH

 

Tetracycline stained teeth

People take medications every day. Did you know that some medications influence your dental health, for example tetracycline was once a commonly used antibiotic until it was discovered to cause severe, irreversible staining in permanent  teeth.   

There are also other drugs that contribute to the risk of oral tissue problems and tooth decay.  In some cases it is not the drug itself that causes the damage, but its side effect, such as dry mouth.  Saliva is necessary to wash away food particles, fight bacterial growth and reduce high levels of acid in the mouth.  Dry mouth can lead to tooth decay. There are over six hundred medications that cause dry mouth including many cold and allergy drugs.  People often reach for sugary and/or highly acidic drinks to quench thirst which furthermore increases the occurrence of tooth decay.

It is important to drink a lot of water to counter the effects of dryness.  Some common medications that contribute to dryness of the mouth are: 

A.  Recreational drugs, i.e. “Meth mouth”

B.  Asthma medications and inhalers are highly acidic and over time can damage the teeth enamel.

Asthma Inhalers can cause tooth decay

C.  Cold and allergy medications can cause severe dryness of the mouth

D.  Medications that come in syrup form can be very high in sugar

E.  High blood pressure medications, especially diuretics can cause the dryness of the mouth

F.   Aspirin, especially chewable aspirin is acidic

G.  Chemotherapy, can cause dry mouth and gum problems

H.  Oral contraceptives increase the risk of gum problems

 

Many of these medications are necessary, but please discuss the side effects of them with your physician. 

If there is a loss of moisture in the mouth, plaque (from the foods we are eating) adheres much easier to the teeth. If the plaque is not removed daily by brushing and plenty of water intake, it can cause bacterial growth affecting the teeth and surrounding tissues like gums and mucous membrane (lining of the mouth). 

The above topic is widely open to discussion with doctors of all specialties.

We appreciate any comments or questions and we hope this has been informative.

 

Tired of Bleaching your Teeth?

Tired of Bleaching?

Demi Moore's smile makeover

People bleach or whiten their teeth for many different reasons.  Some people bleach to get rid of stains, lighten up their smiles, or perhaps to try to achieve an overall uniform smile where each tooth is the same color.  Regardless of the reasoning, we all do it for one reason, to make our smiles more attractive.  For people who have been struggling to achieve their perfect smile or who are tired of bleaching I suggest an alternative, which you may not have considered…A smile makeover!

While bleaching or whitening can change the color of your smile, it is not always uniform and the outcome can at times be unpredictable. 

A smile makeover offers so much more and there are many advantages to solely whitening your teeth.  Some of these include…

·        Choosing the exact shade of white you want your smile to be

·        Having a precise outcome

·        Choosing the shape and length of each tooth

·        Correcting minor spacing or crowding to give you a straighter smile

·        A more permanent result

If you are ready to stop bleaching and take your smile up a notch, a smile makeover is perfect for you.  Patients who choose this option are often shocked to discover how their new smile impacts their life in such a positive way. See my previous blog, How Much is Your Smile Worth?

There are many options for achieving your desired smile.  The best way to get started is to consult your dentist and come up with a plan.  Your dentist will work with you to find an option that works for you within your budget.  When considering a dentist make sure to ask the right questions…

·        Does the dentist specialize in cosmetic dentistry?

·        Have they done many  smile makeovers in the past?

·        Do they have pictures that they can show you of actual cases they have completed?

·        What types of procedures do they offer to achieve your desired results?

·        Do they have testimonials that they can share with you from previous patients?

Being a cosmetic dentist can often be compared to being an artist.  Not all cosmetic dentists are created equally, so make sure you choose one that has achieved outstanding results in the past. Having a great smile can make a huge difference in your social and professional interactions, so don’t wait.  Your new smile is just a phone call away!

 

 

Pregnancy and Oral Health Connection

Pregnancy and Oral Health Connection

Congratulations! You are pregnant and there are many changes that your body will  go through and this includes your teeth and gums! Women in general, experience changes in their gum tissue throughout  the month due to changing hormone levels caused by their menstrual cycle.  Pregnant women experience this even more so.  Here are some things to remember…

·        Morning sickness – If you are experiencing morning sickness now is a time to visit your dentist even more frequently.  The acids in our stomachs that help to digest food can be particularly rough on tooth enamel. 

·        Gingivitis – During pregnancy women bodies go through major hormonal changes.  These hormonal changes can cause gingivitis, which if left untreated  can advance to later stages of gum disease, which can cause tooth loss, increased strain on other bodily systems, and even premature labor. One of these bodily systems includes your cardiovascular system, which is already strained due to the increase in blood volume during pregnancy.

·        Baby’s health – Recent studies now show that oral bacteria and their bi-products have the ability to cross the placenta.  These bacterial products can harm the fetus and cause an inflammatory reaction in the pregnant woman's body. It can lead to premature delivery and low birth weight of an infant.

·        Pregnancy Tumors -  Sometimes during pregnancy women will develop a large lump with deep red pinpoint markings on inflamed gum tissue.  This lump may bleed and crust over.  This can cause discomfort and these women may have trouble eating, talking or drinking. These are pregnancy tumors and can occur anytime during pregnancy, but most likely in the second trimester.  Don’t let the word tumor scare you though.  They aren’t cancerous or contagious.  It is thought that up to 10% of women develop these during pregnancy if their oral hygiene is not to perfection.  The improved oral hygiene and removal of the above will resolve this problem.   To summarize: Frequent visits to the dentist during pregnancy are very desired.   


 

 

Pregnancy Tumor

·        Pregnancy cravings and tooth decay – Many times during pregnancy women eat sugary and starchy food items they may otherwise avoid.  Visiting  your dentist regularly can help to avoid problems that might arise from indulging these cravings.

·        Baby’s oral health – The bacteria that causes dental cavities is often passed to infants by their mothers.  Mothers with healthy mouths have healthier infants.

·        Great modeling behaviors for baby- Adopting good oral hygiene, and  regular dental visits, flossing daily, brushing twice a day, choosing healthier diet , will help to ensure good oral hygiene habits for your baby. 

Pregnancy is such a special time for women.  With frequent visits to the dentist and good oral hygiene many of the complications that can arise from poor oral health can be avoided. If you have any more questions please feel free to leave a comment and I will be happy to answer them.