A large majority of the American population rely on modern medicine to manage their health. While we value and appreciate the power of prescription medicine for a large number of health conditions, you should never ignore the impact that your daily pill could be having on your mouth. One of the most common yet serious oral side effects of medication is a dry mouth. Unfortunately, dry mouth is more than just uncomfortable. A lack of saliva can contribute to several oral health threats.
The Role of Saliva in The Mouth
Saliva serves more than one purpose in your mouth. Saliva helps you swallow, speak and break down your food for digestion, but it also protects your teeth and gums in the following ways:
- Prevents food particles from remaining on the surface of the teeth
- Reduces the amount of oral bacteria
- Neutralizes acids in the mouth
- Aids in re-mineralization of enamel
Without enough spit in your mouth, you run the risk of developing several dental health problems associated with dry mouth, such as gum disease, bad breath, cavities, impaired taste and more.
Medications That May Negatively Impact Oral Health
Is your medication causing a dry mouth? Here are some of the top contributors:
- Chemotherapy medications
- Antihistamines
- Antidepressant medications
- Opioids
- Blood pressure medications
Let us Help Manage Your Oral Health While Taking Medications
At Gilreath Family Dentistry, we understand that many of these medications are not optional. However, we may need to take extra measures to protect your smile health while taking prescriptions that cause dry mouth. We offer a number of preventative treatment measures to help you combat dry mouth and avoid disruptive dental issues. Contact our Marietta dental clinic today.
Posted on behalf of Dr. Paul Gilreath IV,
