Article:Many Drugs Promote Tooth Decay

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Many Drugs Promote Tooth Decay

 

A new study has shown that more than 600 medications have the potential to

cause an increase in tooth decay due to a reduction in the production of saliva.

Saliva serves many useful functions, such as protecting and helping to repair

teeth from the constant assaults that bacteria and our diet together mount

against our tooth enamel.

 

In a recent experiment with clonidine (Catapres), a high blood pressure

medication and becoming more popular in treating attention deficit hyperactivity

disorder (ADHD) in children, researchers showed that rats receiving clonidine

developed 84 percent more cavities on the smooth surfaces of their teeth than

rats not on the medicine. Nearly half of all patients taking this drug complain

of dry mouth.

 

In previous studies it has been shown that the drugs atropine and

propranolol (Inderal) also boost the cavity rate in rats. Researchers found that

propranolol, commonly used in heart disease, alters the composition of saliva

and makes it less effective, while atropine lessens saliva flow. Drugs that

behave like atropine include popular antihistamines like Benadryl,

anti-depressants such as Elavil and Aventyl, and Detrol, which is used to treat

incontinence.

 

According to researchers " Our saliva washes away sugars and other

substances that help promote cavities. It neutralizes the acids in our mouths " .

Additionally, saliva contains large quantities of minerals like calcium and

phosphate, which helps to remineralize the teeth which have these minerals

removed by acid from bacteria on your teeth, especially after eating sugar.

 

Unfortunately, most patients and doctors are not aware of this problem,

which affects millions of people on these medications.

 

Also, researchers note that a dry mouth can also increase tooth decay in

another way, since many people start drinking more liquids such as juices or

sodas that contain sugar and are acidic.

 

ScienceDaily Magazine 5/29/00

 

Source: University Of Rochester

 

COMMENT: Another good reason to avoid drugs. They rarely are the answer to

the cause of the health problems that we contend with. The researchers suggest a

variety of steps for those whose medications cause dry mouth, such as switching

to a different one or reducing the dose, or changing the diet (I suggest

following the low grain, no sugar diet). I would not advise using fluoride to

reduce the risk of cavities. However, I find that if one is careful, the use of

a scaler is particularly helpful to remove resistant plaque. The use of water

pik devices is also helpful to keep the gums healthy.

 

 

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http://www.mercola.com/2000/jun/3/drugs_cavities.htm

 

 

 

 

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