Allergy medicine ‘can leave your mouth more susceptible to tooth decay’
If you are one of many many individuals who frequently takes allergy medicine similar to antihistamines or decongestants, it’s possible you’ll be conversant in dry mouth as a facet impact.
Dr Sulaman Anwar, a registered Specialist Periodontist, defined how a dry mouth might put you vulnerable to dental issues.
He stated: “Saliva is vital for keeping your mouth healthy. It helps to wash away food particles, neutralise acids produced by bacteria, and even promote teeth remineralisation.
“But when allergy medication decreases saliva production, it can leave your mouth more susceptible to harmful bacteria and tooth decay.
“In fact, without proper saliva flow, the risk of both tooth decay and gum disease can increase.”
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Luckily, there are a number of steps you may take to assist alleviate dry mouth brought on by allergy medicine.
Dr Anwar suggested consuming loads of water, chewing sugar-free gum, and avoiding alcohol and caffeine.
He added: “It may also be helpful to use a saliva substitute or a humidifier to moisten the air in the home.”
What else can a dry mouth be an indication of?
A dry mouth could be a symptom of many alternative issues and should develop into extra prevalent as you become older, in response to Dr Safa Al-Naher, founding father of Serene by Dr Safa https://www.serenedental.co.uk.
She stated: “Ageing is not a direct trigger for dry mouth but the fact that up to 46% of people over the age of 65 take medication which have the effect of decreasing the amount of mineral-rich saliva, xerostomia (dry mouth) has been reported as common amongst elderly people.
“Quite often the condition is a side effect of medication – especially heart, blood pressure and depression tablets. Your doctor, pharmacist or dental team should be able to tell you whether your medication can cause problems. Dry mouth can also be caused by medical treatments such as radiotherapy, or surgery to the head or neck.
“In some cases, dry mouth can be a direct result of a medical condition (for example diabetes, lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome and blocked salivary glands).”
In some circumstances a dry mouth may very well be an indication of one thing extra severe. Dr Al-Naher continued: “Another aspect of dry mouth is the fact that signs or symptoms of it have been linked to serious underlying systemic diseases including Parkinson’s disease, autoimmune disorders like Sjögren’s Syndrome, cancer, stroke, and diabetes, to name a few.
“If you suffer from a dry mouth it would be advisable to visit your dentist or doctor to find out why your mouth is dry.”
Dr Al-Naher stated there are alternative ways of relieving the signs of dry mouth.
She suggested: “Some people find that sipping water, or sucking sugar-free sweets, helps in the short term.
“It is very important to use sugar-free products; as dry mouth can make you more likely to have tooth decay. Chewing sugar-free gum can also help as it encourages your mouth to make saliva.
“Your dental team might recommend products such as rinses, gels, pastes and lozenges which you can get from the pharmacist.”