What many people do not realize is that everyday medications may be impacting their oral health. Common medications that are used for a variety of conditions may be affecting your teeth, gums, and comfort. If you have recently noticed some troubling symptoms in your mouth, Dr. Thomas A. Bissell may be able to give you some answers. Dr. Bissell is a top periodontist in Chester, NJ who understands how medications can affect the mouth’s overall health.

Possible Side Effects
There are many different side effects that may occur after starting a new medication. One fairly common side effect is a dry mouth. This results from medications like antihistamines or decongestants. Another common side effect is excessive bleeding, which can result from taking blood thinners. Some antibiotics may change the way food tastes to you. Additionally, it is possible that taking contraceptives or some blood pressure medications could cause sore, inflamed gums. Enlarged gums are also a possibility if you take certain cardiovascular or antiseizure medications.

Things to Consider
Unfortunately, it is not always possible to stop taking the medication if it is causing a painful or uncomfortable side effect to your mouth or teeth. It is important to discuss possible treatments and prescriptions with your primary care physician.

What You Should Do
One way you can get relief is by seeing a periodontist. We offer possible solutions to common problems that stem from popular medications taken by prescription or over the counter. For some side effects, we can simply recommend additional treatments or products to counteract the annoyance or discomfort. We can work with your primary care physician and come up with a better plan for your overall health.

If you suspect that you are suffering from your medication’s side effects, give us a call at (908) 955-5999. Dr. Bissell may be able to offer some advice about how to combat this problem.