Not all medicines are great for your oral health. Certain medications affect dental health adversely. It is due to the side effects of the chemicals used in the medicine. Dry mouth is one of the major side effects of medicines these days. In addition, bad oral health is worse for your heart. Find out why!
Dry Mouth
A dry mouth is simply a condition when saliva production reduces in the mouth. Due to less saliva supply in the mouth, the oral tissues become dry, causing dry mouth. Saliva is also a germ repellant for the mouth. It prevents bacteria from causing plaque by rinsing your mouth and keeping it fresh. Hence, when its supply drops, you become prone to plaque.
Dry mouth is mostly caused by medicines like pain killers, antihistamines, diuretics, and decongestants. Even though it can happen to anyone as a side effect of a medicine, people with diabetes and eating disorders face it the most. In addition, if your immune system is weak, you might also suffer from a dry mouth. Older people who have rheumatoid arthritis are also at a higher risk.
You can suffer from a burning tongue due to a dry mouth in the worst-case scenario. Otherwise, you will simply get bad breath. Other problems caused by dry mouth include difficulty speaking, sensitive tongue, chronic thirst, etc.
Heart Disease
Oral health disorders are also associated with heart diseases. For example, some studies suggest that periodontal disease can harm the heart. Some even say that gum infection can be deadlier than cancer if untreated on time. Are you wondering how so?
Experts say that bacteria in your mouth can travel to your liver through your bloodstream when you have poor oral health. Then it can give birth to harmful proteins, which do no good to the heart.
Antibiotic Prophylaxis
People with a poor immune system are at a higher risk of getting infected when dental procedures are conducted. That is why dentists prefer to give them a suitable antibiotic from beforehand. The antibiotic will fight the bacteria or germs entering the body through the bleeding caused during dental procedures.
If you have a poor immune system and are scared of visiting a dentist, relax because experts know how to handle such situations. As experts, Dr. Jeanne V. Devi, DDS, and her team of dental assistants will take necessary preventive measures to ensure safe dental procedures and will treat such patients with special care. Call us at (626) 795-2544 or visit our website for more details. We are located at 595 E Colorado Blvd Suite 603, Pasadena, CA 91101.
