Teeth And Drug Use

Prescription and Illegal Drugs and Teeth

Let’s explore the use of drugs and healthy teeth.

Many drugs, both prescription and illegal, can cause tooth damage.

Estimates suggest that about 40 per cent of people take at least one type of medicine that could cause tooth damage. Healthy teeth and gums depend on good oral hygiene, a low sugar diet, healthy saliva and regular visits to the dentist.

Your child’s developing teeth

A child’s permanent teeth start to form in the jawbones soon after birth. These developing teeth are vulnerable to certain substances including:
Tetracycline – this antibiotic can tint permanent teeth a yellowish or brownish colour. (Fortunately, this is now a commonly known fact and tetracycline is no longer prescribed in children for this reason)
Fluoride – reportedly strengthens teeth and is commonly added to water supplies and toothpaste. However, excessive amounts of fluoride can cause white or discoloured spots to form on developing permanent teeth. This is called fluorosis. Young children who routinely swallow fluoridated toothpaste are at increased risk.

Saliva protects your teeth

Many drugs, both legal and illegal, reduce the flow of saliva and cause a condition called ‘dry mouth’. Dry mouth significantly increases the risk of tooth decay. This is because of saliva:

• Reduces the population of bacteria in the mouth
• Reduces decay-causing mouth acids
• Contains substances crucial to the ongoing process of re-mineralisation, which is the repair of tooth enamel (the hard surface layer that protects the tooth) that has been damaged by acids.

Medications can cause tooth damage and can affect gums

Some medications, including prescription drugs and over-the-counter preparations, can damage your teeth. Medications can cause gum problems such as inflammation, bleeding or ulceration. Diseased gums can lead to other dental problems including tooth loss.

Some of these medications include:

• Antihistamines – these can cause dry mouth, and an increased risk of gum problems
• Antihypertensives – high blood pressure medication can lead to an increased risk of gum problems
• Aspirin – chewing aspirin can directly damage the tooth enamel as it is acidic. Always take aspirin strictly as directed. The tablets should be swallowed whole with water, not placed beside a painful tooth.
• Asthma medications – some asthma drugs are highly acidic and can dissolve tooth enamel if used regularly over a long period of time
• Chemotherapy drugs – can cause a dry mouth and lead to an increased risk of gum problems
• Immunosuppressive drugs – can lead to an increased risk of gum problems
• Oral contraceptives – can lead to an increased risk of gum problems
• Syrups – medicated syrups that contain sugar can increase the risk of tooth decay if teeth are not brushed after these syrups are taken.
• Some drugs can cause the gum tissue to thicken and grow over the teeth. This condition is called ‘gingival hyperplasia’. Drugs linked to an increased risk of gingival hyperplasia include epilepsy medications, cyclosporin (organ transplant rejection drug), some blood pressure medications and calcium channel blockers.

Alcohol and smoking can affect teeth and gums

Regular intake of alcohol can cause a dry mouth and tooth damage as most alcohols are acidic. Smoking is associated with an increased rate of gum problems as well as an increased risk of cancers, including oral cancer.

Illegal drugs can affect teeth and gums

The regular use of illegal drugs can cause significant tooth damage. Drugs that carry a high risk to your oral health include:

• Cannabis – can cause dry mouth and can lead to an increased risk of gum problems. The smoke can cause oral cancer.
• Cocaine – users sometimes rub cocaine over their gums, causing ulceration of gums and the underlying bone. Cocaine mixed with saliva creates an extremely acidic solution which erodes tooth enamel and exposes the underlying dentine to decay-causing bacteria. Cocaine and crack cocaine cause dry mouth, which further increases the risk of tooth decay. Cocaine can cause tooth wear by bruxism (tooth grinding)
• Ecstasy – side effects of the drug include bruxism (tooth grinding), jaw clenching and dry mouth.
• Heroin – people who use heroin tend to crave sweet foods, which can increase the risk of tooth decay if dental hygiene is neglected. Heroin can also cause dry mouth and bruxism (tooth grinding),
• Methamphetamine – also called speed, ice or meth. This drug causes severe tooth decay in a very short time. Dental professionals have coined the term ‘meth mouth’ to describe the extensive damage typically caused by this drug. Methamphetamine is highly acidic and attacks tooth enamel. Other side effects include dry mouth, bruxism and jaw clenching.

Treatment of Teeth Issues Due To Drugs

Professional treatment depends on the particular drug and its effects on your teeth and gums, but may include some of the following:

If a medicine is causing your dental health problems, the dentist may suggest that you talk to your doctor about adjusting the dose or method of delivery.

Mouthwashes and gels which help protect from decay and dry mouth

Decayed teeth will need dental fillings and perhaps restorative work such as crowns.

Badly decayed teeth may need to be removed (extracted). Partial dentures, dental implants or full dentures may be recommended.

The dentist can carefully trim gum tissue affected by gingival hyperplasia.

The dentist can recommend various treatments (such as veneers) that can improve the look of your mouth and smile.