Gum Swelling and Severe Tooth Decay Traced to Prescription Drugs

by

kucera94

The dentist was not expecting to see such a large black hole on the elderly man’s front tooth. Because the man almost threw up on his prescribed nitroglycerine tablets when placed under his tongue, he stuck them under his upper lip instead. These tablets caused that very big hole in his tooth.

Hundreds of medicines that Americans take every day, from the country’s most popular blood pressure pills to chewable vitamin C tablets, can cause serious tooth decay and gum disease, oral medicine experts told the American Dental Association. Either doctors have no clue to these dental side effects or they don’t let their patients know, say the specialists.

We make dentists know how important it is to ask their patients about medical concerns and medications, says one dentist and pharmacologist at the University of Buffalo. As you look through each medicine, think about how they can affect the patient’s dental health, he tells dentists.

These facts are presented by oral medicine specialists who handled classes at this week’s ADA meeting. Up to 20 percent of patients taking calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure and heart disease suffer gum swelling. Inflammation makes openings that allow bacteria to get in and cause gum swelling and disease. Some of these medicines are taken by most Americans.

Swelling is the effect of certain drugs for epilepsy as well as amphetamines. Cyclosporin is a drug used to prevent organ rejection and this can cause massive gum overgrowth. It looks like gum inflammation caused by leukemia, he said.

Dry mouth, an apparent side effect of 400 drugs, is also a side effect of radiation treatment for cancer. When people don’t have enough saliva, they may suffer cavities, excess plaque, and fungal infections. The dentist would usually tell the patient’s doctor that if possible, he should change the calcium channel blockers prescription and switch it with another heart medicine.

If it is impossible, the patients must see the dentist frequently and their plaque buildup must be monitored. A dentist with a photograph of a patient with damaged teeth and gums said that such side effects would be no worry as long as the mouth is kept clean. There will be no problem if there is no plaque, he said.

A photograph he showed is that of a Dilantin patient with gums so swollen that only the tips of the front teeth could be seen. This condition could be minimized if the patient on Dilantin would see the dentist in 10 days so that the gum pockets could be treated, he said. The problem isn’t just prescription drugs. An active ingredient in over the counter lozenges, cough drops, and antacids is sugar.

He mentioned a woman who always showed up with new cavities. She avoided sweets and brushed always, so dentists were left wondering why this happens. Then the receptionist observed her taking in pills, which turned out to be antacids which she consumed in large amounts a day.

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Gum Swelling and Severe Tooth Decay Traced to Prescription Drugs

Submitted by: Nicholas Papageorgiou

Most of us are well aware that sugary soft drinks, including sports drinks, should be consumed sparingly if at all, thanks in part to dietary guidelines set by the US Department of Agriculture. Yet 50% of Americans consume soft drinks on any given day according to a Harvard study. Learn the facts about consuming sugary beverages, and tips to avoid dental problems caused by drinking them.

Dentists see patients who frequently consume sugary beverages and foods present tooth problems such as tooth decay and dental cavities. The longer the teeth are exposed to soft drinks, the greater the damage to teeth. Sipping on sugary beverages, sports drinks and fruit juices can lead to not just decay and cavities, but over time it can erode tooth enamel, and ultimately, if untreated, lead to tooth loss.

If you consume soft drinks consider these factors:

Soft drinks contains sugar, on which the natural bacteria in your mouth loves to feed. When they co-mingle, they break down into acids that eat away at your tooth enamel. Regular tooth brushing and rinsing combats most of these acids on the surfaces of teeth, but sugar that lingers in the hard to reach crevices between teeth can eventually cause tooth problems.

Acids found in soft drinks, such as citric acid, and phosphoric acid, attacks tooth enamel and leads to tooth enamel erosion over time. A 2006 study by The Academy of General Dentistry equates the harm from drinking soda to that of drinking battery acid. Diet sodas contain an even higher level of acids than regular soda. The least acidic soft drink: root beer.

Cant give up your soft drink habit? Try these dentist recommended tips to lessen the negative impact of soft drinks on your teeth:

Use a Drinking Straw

Drinking sodas and juices with a straw and swallowing quickly will limit sugary beverages contact with teeth, lessening the opportunity for it to cause tooth damage.

Go for a Rinse

Rinse your teeth with water or a mouthwash following your soft drink, to wash away the sugars, preventing them from eating away at your tooth enamel.

Brush it Off

As soon as you are able, brush your teeth and rinse with mouthwash for an extra layer of protection from tooth decay. Be sure to choose a fluoridated mouthwash and toothpaste to help strengthen and remineralize teeth.

At Mealtime Only

Drinking soft drinks during mealtime only ensures that the teeth will have less exposure to sugars in the drinks during the process of chewing your meal.

The most important thing you can do to ensure the health of your teeth is maintain a regular schedule of dental appointments. The sooner your dentist can assess tooth damage, the better he or she will be able to treat any problems such as decay, cavities and tooth enamel erosion. If your teeth have already been severely damaged by soft drinks, speak to your dentist about restoration and cosmetic dentistry options to restore a healthy smile.

Contact Sterling Dental Care at 703-433-9516 or visit www.SterlingDentalCareVA.com to book an appointment today!

About the Author: Dr. Nicholas Papageorgiou is a 1999 graduate of the Medical College of Virginia has been in dental practice for more than 14 years. He continually educates himself and his staff on the newest dental techniques and approaches. Dr. Papageorgiou is a dedicated member of the American Dental Association, the Northern Virginia Dental Association, the Virginia Dental Association and the Delta Sigma Delta dental fraternity. Visit

sterlingdentalcareva.com

to learn more about state-of-the-art-dentistry.

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Enter Medical or Dental Schools in Europe The Easy Way

by

Dr. F. Hunds

With more than 90 programs in 31 cities to study in europe, EuroMed is dedicated to broadening our global reach and continuing our commitment to offering students outstanding european universities options coupled with every-day opportunities for cultural immersion.

EuroMed is comprised of an academic consortium of more than 249 leading european medical universities. EuroMed consortium members assist with academic policy for EuroMed, and have the opportunity to participate in various EuroMed committees. EuroMed holds an annual conference each year for its members to discuss topics related to the field of study abroad and study overseas, including medical schools and dental schools standards and assessment, faculty and program development, and how to maximize the academic, personal, and professional benefits of study abroad. Unlike most study abroad providers, EuroMed also employs a full-time Dean of Students, who establishes and overseas our health and safety guidelines, and consults with the EuroMed Centers to maintain high standards of safety. We also offer assistance for personal statement and interview preparation for a place at UK Medical School or Dental School for those students sitting A/AS levels for the first time or as re-sit candidates. EuroMed is comprised of doctors, dentists and professors from around the globe. We have worked together for many years winning places in Medicine Schools and Dental Schools for many students who were unsucessful at gaining a place to study medicine abroad or study dentistry abroad at their first attempt. These students began their chosen Medical Univeristy Course that same academic year, both within and outside Britain. EuroMed is very proud of our continued success and expansion, ever since we were first established. We have recently been fortunate to gain the assistance of two medical university professors from Slovakia and Hungary. We cater for applicants that may not hold a degree in a scientific field and also for those who do not have a strong scientific background. These applicants should apply to the pre-med courses offered. The minimum age for application is 17 years of age. All applicants that contact EuroMed are likely to secure a place at a Medical School or a Dental School in Europe. Medical/Dental courses are: Taught Entirely in the English Language Recognised world-wide Of low cost on an international standard Due to strong competition, we accept an early study abroad application from those students who feel they may not succeed at their chosen Medical School or at their choosen Dental School at their first attempt. EuroMed offers the opportunity to study medicine abroad or to study dentistry abroad: * Medical/Dental degree taught in English within Europe. Graduates would be allowed to work immediately in UK or anywhere else in Europe inc USA and Canada without having to complete an entry exam. Degrees are GDC and GMC recognised. * in a country where living expenses are cheaper on an international scale * with the reassurance that your career is being helped by us before, during and after graduation ……all this and peace of mind. At this moment, EuroMed accepts applications for the following European Universities: * study abroad in Pcs * study abroad in Szeged * study abroad in Comenius * study abroad in Kosice * study abroad in Charles * study abroad in Brno * study abroad in Krakow * study abroad in Lublin We can also accept an early study abroad application from students that wish to hold a place at a european university as a back-up option, should they not win a place at their chosen Medical school or at their choose Dental school at their first attempt For admission to study medicine abroad or to study dentistry abroad, into any of our listed European Universities, applicants must have completed secondary school education and performed up to AS-level. All selected applicants must pass a 2 hour 30 minute multiple-choice examination paper, invigilated by the professors of the medical school or of the dental school, consisting of Chemistry and Biology topics. A list of examination topics will be provided by EuroMed to you, hence early study abroad application is advisable. Each student will then be interviewed by the teaching professors. Students must succeed in both exam and interview to secure a place. All successful applicants will be issued a formal acceptance document issued from the medical or dental school immediately after the interview. Entrance examinations and interviews are usually held during late Spring/Summer in London (although venue may change) or the country of the european university. It is also possible to obtain an offer of a place early, see EuroMed early application. Our next entrance examination for 2009 entry will take place in London and as there are a limited number of applicants that we can consider, applicants are advised to apply early. Further updates on this event may be posted on EuroMed’s website; therefore you are advised to regularly check this page for details. In order to secure your seat for the entrance examination please: * Make sure your application to us is complete and no documents are outstanding * Email us to reserve your seat before places are full * Revision sessions for this entrance examination are advisable as competition is high. Please send an email or contact us for further details Please E-mail to receive a sample test paper for the entrance examination for study abroad in europe. We wish you the best of luck and we hope you’ll soon become a medical or a dental student! If you have any comments or queries on applications procedure or on abroad studies please to not hesitate to contact us. If you have not already done so, please confirm your booking NOW by E-mail so that we may reserve your seat for the examination and so make sure you’ll be studying medicine abroad or dentistry abroad this year. At EuroMed all interview courses are run by very experienced medical and dental tutors with in-depth knowledge of the ST interview process, communication skills and NHS issues. To check availability and book a place on one of our Medical School Abroad or Dental School Abroad interview courses, simply click here. Confirmation of your booking will be sent to you by email on receipt of your payment. Paying by debit or credit card using our entirely secure server will guarantee your immediate inclusion in the course. Study medicine abroad this year with EuroMed abroad studies at high ranked european Medical Schools Abroad and Dental Schools Abroad. * Invite Friends * The Benefits of Study Abroad * Share your experience and questions with other students on our discussion forums: MedicalUniversitiesEurope.com EuroMed is pleased to announce that we are offering scholarships to those students who intend to study Medicine or Dentistry in Europe. The scholarship will be awarded to those students who, in the opinion of our representative, have contributed most to their community, over the last 12 months. The scholarship will be granted to students who are commencing their studies in September. Duration of Scholarship The scholarship is for one year of study and include the tuition fee for that year. Terms of Scholarship The scholarship will be awarded after you have: 1. Spoken to a member of our team 2. Demonstrated the contribution you have made to your community, as a volunteer. How can I apply for the scholarship? Please send the attached application form to our office and our representative will contact you.

www.studymedicineabroad.co.uk

www.medicaluniversitieseurope.co.uk www.medicaluniversitieseurope.com

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