Prescription Medications and Causes of Gum Problems
Posted By Clod on May 20, 2009
Gum disease impacts as much as seventy-five percent of adults who are middle aged or older. It’s shocking that your medications can be the root of your gum problems. Now, here is the reason.
Although you can brush and floss your teeth properly and keep all of your regular dental appointments, you could still be at risk for gum disease. It has been approximated that three-fourths of individuals past the age of thirty-five have acquired some amount of gum disease and aren’t even aware of it. Obviously, not knowing doesn’t shield you from further advanced gum disease or periodontal disease that may produce a loss of teeth and an unpleasant grin. People often don’t realize that medications can cause gum problems. If you are worried about the healthiness of your gums and teeth, perhaps it is in your best interest to take a closer look at the medications you are currently using.
Why do prescription medications sometimes cause gum problems? There are many common medications that change the flow of saliva, which causes dry mouth. Saliva actually helps to control the growth of microorganisms that can cause plaque to form and gum disease to develop. With insufficient amounts of saliva, the bad germs are left to multiply and bring about a multitude of gum and other dental issues, like cavities and halitosis.
There are many medications which can cause gum problems, including antidepressants, some hypertension drugs, and antihistamines. In reality, there are hundreds of medications which may result in dry mouth and possibly heighten your chance of gum disease. You might become aware that when you are on these medications, you get a dry mouth or you might detect a nasty taste in your mouth. Even if you aren’t noticeably troubled by this, your gum health can suffer from the absence of saliva.
What are the steps you should take if you are worried about gum problems from your medication? If your physician isn’t able to change you to a substitute medication, there are procedures you can do to produce a healthier environment in your mouth and possibly lessen your chance of gum disease.
You can chew sugar free gum, which contains xylitol. The action related to chewing gum will stimulate the production of saliva and the xylitol will aid to lessen the amount of plaque generating bacteria which can bring about gum disease. Xylitol has been proven in clinical studies to lessen the likelihood of dental cavities.
Certainly you will want to keep your mouth adequately hydrated by consuming lots of water. There have been studies that show that the catechins contained in green tea can aid in the reduction of gum inflammation and help promote better oral health. Drinking green tea all throughout the day will help with a dry mouth and might offer benefits to the gums and mouth as well. It can also help to use a humidifier in your bedroom which will keep your mouth adequately hydrated at night.
Don’t neglect your dental appointments if you take medications that could put you at risk for gum problems. Consistent elimination of plaque all around the gum line can assist in the prevention of future gum disease.
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