Patient Forms 
It is not unusual for some medications to impact your oral health. Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and even vitamins and herbal supplements can have side effects related to your teeth and gums. It is important to know the types of reactions that medications may have, and how to deal with them if they occur.
Dry mouth
One of the most common oral side effects of medication is dry mouth. If your mouth does not produce enough saliva, you are at a higher risk for tooth decay and gum disease. Some of the drugs that can cause dry mouth include decongestants, antihistamines, antidepressants, pain medications, antacids, and high blood pressure drugs. If your doctor doesn’t recommend changing medicine, try sipping water often, using an artificial saliva product, or sucking on sugarless candy.
Increased cavity risk
Sugar is found in many medications, like cough drops, antacids, and chewable tablets. To limit sugar and associated cavities, ask for the medication in tablet form, take medication with meals and not at bedtime, and brush with a fluoride toothpaste afterwards.
Discoloration
Some drugs alter the color of your teeth or gums. If you experience discoloration, ask your dentist about teeth whitening options.
Altered taste
Certain drugs cause a bitter or rusty taste in your mouth, or just change how foods taste to you. If you can’t handle this side effect, ask your doctor about switching medications.
Abnormal bleeding
If you have oral surgery or another procedure planned, tell your dentist if you are taking any drugs like aspirin and anticoagulants that thin the blood. These put you at higher risk for bleeding.
Bone loss
Corticosteroids and antiepileptic drugs have shown to cause loss of bone that supports your teeth. Osteoporosis medications may damage your jawbone. If you are taking these drugs, tell your dentist so that precautions might be taken to slow bone loss.
Thrush
Taking antibiotics, chemotherapy, or steroids can lead to thrush. This is an oral yeast infections that causes white lesions in your mouth. Antifungal treatments may be prescribed by your dentist to treat thrush.
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