Many medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, can adversely affect your oral health. This includes herbal remedies, vitamins, and minerals. Some of the side effects can be:

Dry mouth
When your mouth is dry, your soft tissues can become inflamed and vulnerable to infections. Since your saliva also cleanses your mouth, you may be more susceptible to cavities and tooth decay. Although increasing your water intake may help, you may still be susceptible to infection.

Swollen or enlarged gums
When gums are swollen or enlarged, they may be painful and require more attention than normal in order to keep your mouth clean and healthy.

Bleeding
If you are taking blood thinners or anticoagulants, you should notify your dentist of this before undergoing any oral surgery. Since your blood will be less likely to clot, you could bleed excessively.

Altered taste
Some health conditions and their correcting medications can cause an off taste in the mouth. A metallic taste, the inability to differentiate between sweet and salty, and so forth, can be side effects of some medications.

Fungal infections
When your mouth creates insufficient saliva, fungal infections can arise. Be sure to rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after using an inhaler or taking liquid medications.

Cavities
Many liquid medications contain sugar, as do many chewable medications and many antacids. Unless you rinse your mouth well with water after consuming any of these, you are more likely to develop cavities and enamel decay. Children are especially prone to receiving cough syrup or the like in the middle of the night and then falling asleep without rinsing their mouth. Even though it may be inconvenient, it’s good training to have the child get up and rinse his or her mouth before going back to sleep.

Medications that may precipitate these symptoms include:
·Antihistamines and decongestants
·Asthma inhalers
·Hypertensives
·Oral contraceptives
·Blood thinners and anticoagulants
·Pain medications
·Seizure medications
·Channel blockers
·Immunosuppressants
·Cough suppressants
·Antacids
·Vitamin K
·Aspirin

Neither of the above lists is all-inclusive. Therefore, if you notice a change in your teeth, gums, or mouth after starting a new medication or vitamin/mineral, be sure to check the side effects. You may need to stop taking the product or consult your medical provider to see if there is an alternative medication.

If you have cancer treatment scheduled, any necessary dental work should be done before commencing treatment.