It was large black hole, it was on the elderly man's front tooth, and it was definitely something the dentist didn't expect to see. He was taking nitroglycerine tablets which he placed under his upper lip instead of under his tongue. These tablets created the hole in his tooth.
Americans who take medication that are commonly taken everyday put themselves at risk of acquiring tooth decay and gum disease, oral medicine experts say. Patients don't know these side effects because their doctors don't tell them, and this might be because their doctors don't know also, the specialists say.
A dentist and pharmacologist at the University of Buffalo said they urged dentists to question patients about their general health and medications. He said they have to look very carefully at the medicines their patients take and think very carefully about the side effects.
Drug side effects, as presented by oral medicine specialists who taught at this week's ADA meeting, include the following. Up to 20 percent of patients taking calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure and heart disease suffer gum swelling. The inflammation opens pockets in the gums for bacteria to infiltrate, leading to massive swelling and serious gum disease.
Swelling is a side effect of amphetamines used to treat children's hyperactivity, as well as anti epilepsy drugs. Used to prevent organ rejection, cyclosporin is capable of causing a bigger type of swelling. Inflammation caused by leukemia is similar in appearance.
More than 400 drugs can cause a side effect known as dry mouth, which is apparent in radiation treatment patients. Those who don't have enough saliva may need topical fluoride treatment because they are prone to various dental problems. The dentist would often contact the doctor of the patient and request that calcium channel blockers be replaced with another heart medicine because of the gravity of the problem.
If this cannot be done, then plaque buildup must be constantly controlled and trips should be scheduled every two months. Another oral specialist points out that as long as the mouth is kept clean, then there's no worry about gum side effects. If there's no plaque, there's no problem, he said.
A photograph he showed is that of a Dilantin patient with gums so swollen that only the tips of the front teeth could be seen. He stated that a patient who is taking Dilantin is recommended to consult the dentist in 10 days so that the gum pockets where bacteria lurks could be treated. Prescription drugs are not the only sources of dental problems. Over the counter lozenges, cough drops and antacids are full of sugar.
He is reminded of a woman who kept on having cavities. She said she brushed regularly and avoided sweets, leaving the dentists so perplexed. Eventually, after the receptionist reported the woman popping pills, it was discovered that the woman sucked on a lot of antacid every day.
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