Do you make a habit of brushing and flossing your teeth? Have you incorporated mouthwash into your oral hygiene routine? Even if you care for your teeth well, do you ever wonder if there could be other things you might consider doing? For instance, did you know that you may need to consider telling our dentist about all of the medications you’re taking?
There are more than 400 medications that can cause dry mouth, which greatly reduces the amount of saliva you have in your mouth. While this may not seem overly serious, if you don’t have enough saliva, bacteria and food particles can stay on your teeth, causing decay, infection, and irritation.
Certain inhaler medications, typically used for asthma or bronchitis, can cause a yeast infection known as candidiasis. However, please note that you may be able to slow this problem by rinsing your mouth out with water after each use. Other medications can cause a buildup of gum tissue. Your gums could become swollen, tender, and even start to grow over your teeth.
Other medications can also lead to a number of serious issues. Some of these medications include high blood pressure and heart medications, antidepressants, and antipsychotic medications. Even over the counter pain medications can cause issues with your oral health.
If you’ve experienced some of these symptoms, we recommend visiting our dentist as soon as possible. Our dentist, Dr. Robert P. Sherman, and our team will be happy to examine your mouth and offer you and advice you need. If you’re interested in learning more, please don’t hesitate to contact Robert P. Sherman at 913-685-2171. We look forward to hearing from you!