Medicines prescribed for various diseases not only cure the health problems but many a times also cause diverse side effects including oral problems. A little knowledge about the various side effects can help you recover from these problems at a faster pace.
The most common side effect caused due to medicines and extreme therapies is dry mouth (an insufficient supply of saliva). If the condition is neglected, it can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Other common oral side effects include overgrowth of yeast or other microbes, mouth sores, growth of excessive gum tissue, changes in taste and staining of teeth. The conditions are commonly observed in older generations who intake more medications.
| Side Effects | Type of Medicines |
|---|---|
| Dry Mouth | Tricyclic antidepressants, antihistamines,diuretics, anti- anxiety drugs, anti convulsants,barbiturates, decongestants, muscle relaxants, bronchodilators, narcotic painkillers and many others. |
| Staining of Teeth | Tranquilizers,oral contraceptives, anti-malarial drugs, tetracycline, chlorhexidine. |
| Overgrowth of gum tissue | Cyclosporine, calcium channel blockers, anti seizure medication. |
| Oral yeast infection (thrush) | Combinations of antibiotics and steroid drugs. |
| Bone tissue death | Bisphosphonates used intravenously in cancer treatments and less frequently, oral bisphoshonates for osteoporosis prevention and treatment. |
Any kind of inappropriate use of medicines has side effects, giving rise to new set of problems. Thus, avoid self-medications of any form by using medicines as prescribed.
