The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about 20% of children regularly take prescription medications. Over the years, the number of children who take medication prescribed by a doctor has steadily increased. Some medicines may harm your child’s dental health. Our team will better adapt our treatment plan if we know about any medications your child takes during their regular examination.
The following are five ways medications can affect your child’s oral health.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is caused by a reduction in saliva production in the mouth. Many medications cause the mouth to produce less saliva. Especially for young children’s teeth, saliva is crucial for neutralizing acids that may damage them. Leaving a dry mouth untreated can cause tooth decay to increase.
Enlargement of the gum tissue
Certain medications can enlarge or overgrow your child’s gum tissue. Gum inflammation can be prevented with extra attention. Our team will recommend care instructions to ensure your child maintains healthy gums if this is the case.
Tooth decay
Most medications do not cause tooth decay directly. However, some medicines use sugar as a flavoring. Liquid treatments are available in delicious flavors for kids and tablets that taste like candy. Sugar feeds decay-causing bacteria over time, leading to tooth decay. Whenever possible, opt for sugar-free versions of medications. It would help if you also had your child take their medication with a meal and a drink, so the sugary compounds are washed away.
Bleeding from your gums
Blood clotting can be affected by some medications. An increase in bleeding may occur when your child is about to undergo oral surgery or is about to lose a tooth. If your child takes any medications, please tell us before scheduling treatment. This information will allow our team to provide your child with high-quality care.
Reactions involving soft tissues
Some medications can cause mouth inflammation, discoloration, and even sores.If your child experiences any of these symptoms, please contact us immediately. We can create a customized oral hygiene plan for your child to alleviate these side effects.
Keeping our team informed of your child’s medications is essential. It allows us to make appropriate treatment suggestions. Please contact our pediatric dentist in Washington DC if you notice any changes in your child’s oral health. Our goal is to establish a lifetime of healthy habits and improve your child’s oral health with you.
Contact our pediatric dentist in Washington DC if you have questions about medications or your child’s oral health or to set an appointment with our Washington DC pediatric dentist.