Certain classes or types of drugs are particularly important to be aware of for their ability to negatively influence your oral health.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflamatories: Commonly referred to as NSAIDs, these drugs are designed to reduce fever and inflammation when taken orally. Ibuprophen, with brand names such as Advil and Motrin, is a widely-taken over-the-counter medication that has the potential to increase bleeding upon invasive dental surgery as well as to cause dry mouth (xerostomia).1
Antidepressants: Both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants can cause a wide range of oral side effects, including swelling of the salivary (partoid) glands, dry mouth (xerostomia), and tongue discolouration. The SSRI Paxil is particularly troublesome for its high incidence (up to 36% prevalence) of xerostomia as well as grinding of the teeth (bruxism).1
Vasodilators and Vasoconstrictors: Vasodilators such as nitroglycerin may cause dry mouth and tooth disorders, 1
Beta Blockers: These are medications commonly prescribed to treat conditions such as hypertension, angina, and edema. The most prevalent oral side effects of these are gingival enlargement (up to 20% for drugs such as Procardia and Dilacor) and xerostomia. 1
Anticonvulsants: Prescribed for the treatment of seizures, anticonvulsants such as Dilantin (phenoytoin), Donnatal (phenobarbitone) and Epilim (sodium valproate) have been noted to cause gingival enlargement. This side effect is most prominent with Dilantin, where prevalence of gingival enlargement may be as high as 50%.
Immunosuppressants: Neoral and Sandimmure (cyclosporin) may cause gingival enlargement at a prevalence of 25-30% in adults and up to 70% in children. Deltasone (prednisone) is another immunosuppressant that may cause xerostomia in 1-10% of users.