Is a Prescription Medication Messing with the Health of Your Gums?

Posted in General Dentistry

In our last post, we talked about a unique service that’s helping our Bethesda team assess our patients’ risk for gum disease. Today we’d like to alert our readers to something that’s far from common knowledge—certain medications can increase the risk of gum disease.

In particular, a number of patients taking calcium channel blockers to treat high blood pressure or angina have experienced swelling or gum enlargement. It’s the same with medication for epileptic seizure or patients receiving an organ transplant.

With enlarged gums, it becomes more difficult to keep bacteria and plaque in check. As a result, they may accumulate, resulting in sensitivity, bleeding, bone loss, and even tooth loss, if left untreated.

But thankfully, treatment is possible.

At Bethesda Sedation Dentistry, Dr. Schlossberg and Dr. Klotz can provide the personalized gum disease therapy you need to protect your teeth and gums. We’ll also recommend that you talk to your doctor about other treatment options. By switching from one medication to another, it may be possible to reverse the gum swelling or enlargement you’ve experienced.

Have you noticed changes in your smile? Don’t ignore them or avoid care. Call Bethesda Sedation Dentistry today to reserve your appointment. We’re happy to provide care for patients from Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville, Chevy Chase, Washington D.C., Northern Virginia, Baltimore, and beyond.