You probably already know that specific foods and drinks can negatively impact your smile. For example, sugar ramps up the production of harmful oral bacteria and acids. What you may not have thought about, however, is that certain medications can similarly alter your teeth and gums. Keep reading to learn more from our Santa Monica dentist…
One of the most commonly experienced side effects of both over-the-counter and prescription medications is dry mouth. Unfortunately, chronic dry mouth makes it really difficult for patients to maintain healthy mouths. That is because harmful oral bacteria thrive in a dry environment; you need saliva in order to neutralize bacteria, freshen breath, and re-mineralize dental enamel. If you find that you’re struggling to maintain moisture in your mouth, you may want to reach out to your dental team for potential solutions. You can also talk to your doctor about alternative medications that may have fewer side effects.
Another mouth-related side effect of medication is acid reflux. Acid reflux takes acid that originates in your digestive tract, and moves it up through your esophagus into your mouth. This acid has the unfortunate result of demineralizing dental enamel and weakening oral tissues. Chronic acid reflux can make your smile look years older than it really is.
Finally, there are a few medications that have smile-specific side effects. Specifically, the antibiotic tetracycline can cause children to develop permanent teeth that are stained or grooved/pitted. For this reason, it is recommended that pediatric patients use an alternative to tetracycline—make sure to talk this over with your child’s doctor if this comes up during treatment.
Remember that your smile is really just one component of your overall health and wellness; oral health is connected to so much, including medication usage! If you have additional questions, or you want to schedule a personal consultation, please don’t hesitate to call our Santa Monica dentists to get started.