Hundreds of Medications Have Negative Dental Side Effects
The dentist had not expected at all tooth decay quite so large to be seen on the elderly man's front tooth.
The man was taking nitroglycerine tablets which he stuck under his upper lip instead of putting it under his tongue.
These tablets ate away at his tooth, creating that big hole.
According to oral medicine experts, medicines such as vitamin C tablets and blood pressure pills may have serious bearing on dental problems of Americans.
The oral experts state that it's possible that doctors are ignorant of the side effects or they know about them but don't tell the patients.
We make dentists know how important it is to ask their patients about medical concerns and medications, says one dentist and pharmacologist at the University of Buffalo.
He urges dentists to make careful observations on each tablet and pill and think about their side effects.
Oral medicine specialists say that the following are the top problematic drug side effects.
Around 20% of patients who take doses of calcium channel blockers for heart conditions also suffer gum swelling.
Inflammation creates openings in the gums where bacteria can get it and cause swelling and gum disease.
These medicines include some of the nation's biggest selling drugs.
Swelling is a side effect of amphetamines used to treat children's hyperactivity, as well as anti epilepsy drugs.
A drug used by organ transplant recipients, cyclosporin can cause massive gum swelling.
The inflammation caused by cyclosporin is similar to that of leukemia.
Dry mouth, an apparent side effect of 400 drugs, is also a side effect of radiation treatment for cancer.
Saliva is vital to a healthy mouth, and people who don't have enough are prone to cavities, excess plaque and fungal infections, and may need topical fluoride treatment.
The dentist would usually tell the patient's doctor that if possible, he should change the calcium channel blockers prescription and switch it with another heart medicine.
If this cannot be done, then plaque buildup must be constantly controlled and trips should be scheduled every two months.
Keep your mouth clean, and you won't feel the side effects that affect your gums, another dentist said.
Absence of plaque is the absence of any problem, he stated.
The only clearly visible part of the front teeth of the Dilantin patient with swollen gums in the photograph he showed was the tips.
Those taking Dilantin should see a dentist within a 10 day span so that the condition could be minimized and bacterial infection could be avoided, he said.
Prescription drugs are just among other problems for dentists.
Aside from medicines, lozenges and cough drops could pose as a problem since they contain sugar.
Cavities kept on showing up inside the mouth of one woman.
She said she brushed regularly and avoided sweets, leaving the dentists so perplexed.
Later on, it was discovered by the receptionist that the woman was popping three packs of antacids into her mouth every day.
The man was taking nitroglycerine tablets which he stuck under his upper lip instead of putting it under his tongue.
These tablets ate away at his tooth, creating that big hole.
According to oral medicine experts, medicines such as vitamin C tablets and blood pressure pills may have serious bearing on dental problems of Americans.
The oral experts state that it's possible that doctors are ignorant of the side effects or they know about them but don't tell the patients.
We make dentists know how important it is to ask their patients about medical concerns and medications, says one dentist and pharmacologist at the University of Buffalo.
He urges dentists to make careful observations on each tablet and pill and think about their side effects.
Oral medicine specialists say that the following are the top problematic drug side effects.
Around 20% of patients who take doses of calcium channel blockers for heart conditions also suffer gum swelling.
Inflammation creates openings in the gums where bacteria can get it and cause swelling and gum disease.
These medicines include some of the nation's biggest selling drugs.
Swelling is a side effect of amphetamines used to treat children's hyperactivity, as well as anti epilepsy drugs.
A drug used by organ transplant recipients, cyclosporin can cause massive gum swelling.
The inflammation caused by cyclosporin is similar to that of leukemia.
Dry mouth, an apparent side effect of 400 drugs, is also a side effect of radiation treatment for cancer.
Saliva is vital to a healthy mouth, and people who don't have enough are prone to cavities, excess plaque and fungal infections, and may need topical fluoride treatment.
The dentist would usually tell the patient's doctor that if possible, he should change the calcium channel blockers prescription and switch it with another heart medicine.
If this cannot be done, then plaque buildup must be constantly controlled and trips should be scheduled every two months.
Keep your mouth clean, and you won't feel the side effects that affect your gums, another dentist said.
Absence of plaque is the absence of any problem, he stated.
The only clearly visible part of the front teeth of the Dilantin patient with swollen gums in the photograph he showed was the tips.
Those taking Dilantin should see a dentist within a 10 day span so that the condition could be minimized and bacterial infection could be avoided, he said.
Prescription drugs are just among other problems for dentists.
Aside from medicines, lozenges and cough drops could pose as a problem since they contain sugar.
Cavities kept on showing up inside the mouth of one woman.
She said she brushed regularly and avoided sweets, leaving the dentists so perplexed.
Later on, it was discovered by the receptionist that the woman was popping three packs of antacids into her mouth every day.
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