Here at Foley Dental Group, we know that you care about your health and your teeth, as do we! It is common, however, that some health concerns don’t involve your teeth directly at all. These concerns could call for a change in lifestyle, whether that involves your diet, exercise, or prescription medication. If you use prescription drugs, we want to inform you on a very common and very serious side effect: dry mouth.

Dry mouth, also known as “cotton mouth” and xerostomia, can be a side effect of many medications, including over-the-counter medicines and commonly prescribed medications. Dry mouth occurs from the lack of saliva produced in your mouth while taking medications. A person’s throat may be uncomfortably dry and persistent coughing could take place, along with bad breath, dizziness, and headaches.

Why this is so serious is rather simple. Bacteria thrive in dry, warm locations. When a person develops saliva at a decreasing rate, the mouth is at risk of being home to fast-multiplying bacteria. If bacteria are multiplying like crazy, your teeth become more prone to cavities and tooth decay, which we do not like to see!

Although most people dismiss the seriousness of dry mouth, left untreated it can make for painfully infected teeth and a costly dental visit. We want you to be informed about which medications correlate with dry mouth, the dangers of this prescription use side effect, and what to do if you are experiencing any of the symptoms.

So which prescriptions correlate with dry mouth? Here’s a simple list:

• Blood pressure medications
• Antihistamines
• Antidepressants
• Diuretics
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
• Decongestants
• Muscle relaxants

Come visit us at Foley Dental Group if you have any questions about dry mouth or are experiencing any of the symptoms. Request an appointment with us at (618) 288-9670 or online at www.foleydentalgroup.com.