What foods you eat can directly affect your teeth in either a positive or negative way. Foods and drinks that you should avoid are those that are high in sugar like candies, pies, cakes, cookies, sodas, juices, and gum. These have loads of sugar that is a fuel source for bacteria, and frequent snacking or sipping leads to increased exposure. However, there are lots of things that you can eat and drink that will help keep your teeth healthy. Water, unsweetened tea, and milk are better choices for drinks during the day, and foods like meats, cheese, and nuts help keep teeth healthy. Find out more about what you should eat and not eat to keep your teeth healthy
The next time you pop a pill, ask yourself this question: What will this medicine do to my mouth and teeth
Generally speaking, medicines are designed to make you feel better. But all drugs, whether taken by mouth or injected, come with a risk of side effects, and hundreds of drugs are known to cause mouth (oral) problems. Medicines used to treat cancer, high blood pressure, severe pain, depression, allergies, and even the common cold, can have a negative impact on your dental health. That’s why your dentist, not just your doctor, should always know about all the medications you are taking, including over-the-counter products, vitamins, and supplements
Dry Mouth-Xerostomia
Some drugs can reduce the amount of saliva in your mouth, causing an uncomfortably dry mouth (xerostomia). Without enough saliva, the tissues in the mouth can become irritated and inflamed. This increases your risk for infection and gum disease
More than 400 medications are known to cause dry mouth. Dry mouth is also a side effect of certain chemotherapy medicines
Some medicines that list dry mouth as a side effect include
Antihistamines
Antidepressants
Antipsychotics
Parkinson’s disease medications
Alzheimer’s disease medications
Lung inhalers
Certain blood pressure and heart medications, including
angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, heart rhythm medications, and diuretics
Seizure medications
Isotretinoin, used to treat acne
Anti-anxiety medications
Anti-nausea and anti-diarrheal medicines
Narcotic pain medications
Scopolamine, used to prevent motion sickness
Anti-spasm medications
Dry mouth can be a bothersome problem. However, many times, the benefits of using a medicine outweigh the risks and discomfort of dry mouth. Drinking plenty of water or chewing sugarless gum may help relieve your symptoms
Fungal Infection
Certain inhaler medications used for asthma may lead to a yeast infection in the mouth called oral candidiasis. Rinsing your mouth out with water after using an inhaler can help prevent this side effect
Gum Swelling Gingival Overgrowth
Some medications can cause a buildup of gum tissue, a condition called “gingival overgrowth.” Gum tissue becomes so swollen that it begins to grow over the teeth. Gingival overgrowth increases your risk of periodontal disease. Swollen gum tissue creates a favorable environment for bacteria, which can damage surrounding tooth structures
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