Many people take over-the-counter and prescription drugs. While many people understand that medications can cause side effects such as blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, and digestive issues, they may be unaware of their oral side effects. Orthodontists in Elm Grove may warn their patients of the following oral side effects that may occur after taking certain drugs.
Poor Salivary Flow
Antihistamines, diuretics, and antihypertension drugs can cause poor salivary flow, which can cause dry mouth. If your mouth is persistently dry, your risk for cavities and gum disease rises.
Drinking plenty of water can help prevent dry mouth, however, other beverages such as coffee and tea can cause oral dehydration. In addition, your orthodontist in Elm Grove may also recommend that you chew sugarless gum to promote salivary flow.
Oral Thrush
Antibiotics can cause oral fungal infections such as thrush, which causes white patches to develop inside your mouth. To diminish your risk for oral thrush while taking antibiotics, eat yogurt, which contains live cultures.
If you do not enjoy yogurt, take a probiotic supplement, which will help restore favorable bacteria to your gastrointestinal system so that you are less likely to develop fungal infections. If you get thrush, rinse your mouth with salt water to reduce inflammation and soreness. Also, be careful when you brush your teeth because scraping the white patches can cause them to bleed.
To make an appointment, call Griffin Orthodontics or visit the website online.
