The Negative Effects of Opioids on the Teeth

Modern painkillers do wonders for mild or severe pain. Once they are prescribed and taken, life is good again. However, the possible side effects to any opioid we use are not always considered. Look up any opioid description and you will see the side effects listed in tiny font towards the bottom. Maybe we are afraid to know what these possible side effects are, but the fact of the matter is the more we know about how drugs affect us, the better off we are. South Charlotte Dentistry wants you to be aware of the effects opioids have on your teeth. When it comes to opioids, there are specific things we can do in order to counteract one very dangerous side effect: dry mouth.  

Painkillers Known as Opioids

Narcotic pain relievers can only be prescribed by a medical professional. These are called opioids, and there is a good reason they cannot be purchased right over the counter. They can be extremely addictive, and if gone unmonitored they can cause other very serious side effects. Most of us know them better by their particular names such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, and codeine, but each of these opioids carries with it a dangerous condition of dry mouth. This horrible side effect can come on whether the opioid is being used short or long term, which makes it even more devious. Like it or not, most painkillers tend to do direct damage to the teeth. What happens when we use opioids for short or long periods of time is the saliva deteriorates from the mouth. We need the bacteria in saliva to be continually present in order to fight off infection, tooth decay, and a host of other possible issues. Dry mouth can be the source of many other serious side effects.

Not to say any of these side effects should scare us off from using opioids. It’s good to view them as a successful pain relievers, just as long as we find ways to counter the dangerous side effects. Unfortunately, these side effect can be extremely hazardous to the teeth if specific measures are not taken. Here are several of the symptoms that can become present after opioid use:

• Dry mouth and throat – this can cause discomfort when talking or trying to swallow. It can keep you from sleeping, even keep you from eating.

• Viscous saliva – this is when the little saliva you have left in your mouth becomes thick or mucus-like. This can interfere with speech, eating, and drinking. It can also create bad breath.

• Tender throat – we all know how terrible it is to have a sore throat. It’s difficult to sleep and swallow. It can even be painful to speak at times.

• Increased development – more plaque means higher chances for cavities and rotted teeth. Gum infection can also occur.

• Bad breath – there are different types of bad breath: one caused from the foods or drinks we intake and another from dry mouth. The former can be dealt with by brushing, chewing gum, or taking mints. The latter is minimally effected by these things, and continuously gets worse with the more opioids we take.

• Sores in the Mouth – these painful infections seem to irritate to no end, and without enough saliva in the mouth, they take longer to go away.

• Loss of taste – dry mouth can even cause our taste buds to suffer. Foods begin to taste dull, flat, or completely void of flavor altogether.

Remedies for Dry Mouth

These side effects sound bad, and that’s because they are. Thankfully there are remedies, and by taking the time to make a few changes in your day, the side effects to opioid use can be minimalized, and in some cases alleviated completely.

Routine exams at South Charlotte Dentistry are extremely important. Once you are here, we can have a close look at your teeth and mouth to see what the best options are for you. Different people have different reactions. Once dry mouth sets in, it is really dependent upon how healthy your teeth are to see when and how they will be affected by the drug. At South Charlotte Dentistry, we can even discuss possible side effects specific to your teeth. No matter how long you plan to be using opioids, there are a few things to start doing in order to counteract the many possible negative outcomes.

For starters, you can purchase artificial saliva spray. This can help to moisten the mouth and increase the flow of saliva, but this does not work for everyone. If your dry mouth continues, you may want to contact your physician in order to be prescribed Pilocarpine. This helps stimulate salivary glands to create saliva. Before trying either of these things, start by drinking extra water to see if it does the trick.

There are also some home remedies that have proven to help many suffering from the results of dry mouth. It never hurts to try these first.

·         Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Also floss once every day.

·         Drink plenty of water or unsweetened fluids with meals.

·         Use only sugar-free mints or gum to stimulate saliva flow.

·         Try to breathe primarily out of the nose rather than your mouth.  

Saliva is so important because it helps us digest our food. Not only that, saliva helps prevent against viruses, fungi, and tooth decay from taking place inside the mouth. Even if you are taking measures to control your dry mouth, it is essential that you still come into South Charlotte Dentistry regularly for cleanings and checkups. Viruses, fungi, and tooth decay are not always apparent at first, which is why you want a professional who can detect and deal with them right away.

Here are a few more things to consider:

• Brush your teeth with soft bristles. If soft bristles still cause pain or irritation, try soaking the bristles in warm water prior to use.

• Avoid flossing around bleeding or sore gums, as this can cause more serious problems. If your gums do not seem to be getting better, make an appointment with Carolina’s Dental Choice right away.

• Use a mouthwash that contains fluoride and that does not contain alcohol. Alcohol in mouthwash can actually encourage dry mouth.

• As much as possible, refrain from sticky, sugary foods and drinks. Any time you do consume these, be sure to brush your teeth right afterward.

• Drink a lot of water throughout the day. This almost goes without saying, but it really can help keep the mouth from remaining dry.

• Run a humidifier in your room while you sleep. This will make sure the air you are breathing in is not too dry.

• Alcoholic and caffeinated drinks tend to quickly dry out the mouth. If you partake of either make sure you drink plenty of water before and after. Brushing your teeth after these can help as well.

Let Us Help You

Here at South Charlotte Dentistry, we make our living based off of how well we help you. If you have been prescribed opioids, and have found that your mouth feels a little dryer than usual, come see us. Any or all of the preventative measures listed here can help, but allowing one of our trained professionals to look at your mouth can help pinpoint the best way for you to keep from extreme dry mouth.

By: Andrae Bergeron

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Why is Dental Insurance and Dental Health Not Included in The Regular Health System?

 

Healthcare is a big topic in the White House, and we have all been hearing about recently. With the huge debate over repealing and replacing Obamacare, it is all over the news and blowing up the media. But how will all of this affect dental care? Or will it? Shockingly, dental is not a part of most insurance plans.  South Charlotte Dentistry finds it heart-breaking that many healthcare plans don’t consider dental coverage. As a dental provider, South Charlotte Dentistry values dental health and recognizes its effect on your overall health and body. Unfortunately, not everyone understands the importance of dental care and it is not included in most healthcare plans. 

Public health coverage currently allows dental services for children under the Children’s Health Insurance Plan with Medicaid, because children in a certain age range are protected. Medicaid is required to cover children but is not required to cover adults, as Medicaid’s adult dental plan is optional. It is determined by a state-to-state plan.  Medicaid in most states has some dental coverage for adults, but most of the plans are very limited, often for emergencies only. Medicare only covers dental services that are emergencies and take place in a hospital. Important dental needs, such as dental crowns or root canals, are often not covered. Currently, 15 states provide extensive coverage for adults! And South Charlotte Dentistry gives these states a high-five! Most states provide care for minimal services, and 4 states provide no dental benefits at all! The Atlantic reports that, “A survey of Medicaid patients in Chicago, Denver, and Portland conducted by the PerryUndem research firm last year found that better dental care was at the top of most beneficiaries’ wish lists.” 

Okay, so children are covered, but only if they are enrolled in the Children’s Health Insurance plan. Many families do not qualify for Medicaid. And Medicaid requirements could see a huge change depending on the outcome of the Affordable Care Act.  Medicaid is completely separate from Obamacare but could be affected by what is happening in the White House. The Affordable Care Act expanded Medicaid by expanding the income range for Medicaid requirements. If Obamacare is repealed, many could be left without coverage. So what about adults and those who do not have Medicaid?

Dental vs Medical: The History 

Dental and medical health have always been two very separate things. Although, they both have effects on a person’s overall health and body, they are treated as inherently different practices.  The healthcare system and insurance programs look at the two with very different perspectives.

Dentistry use to be an offshoot of hairdressing! 

An article in the Atlantic provides a little insight on dental history. Up until the 1800s, dentistry was done at the hair salon. Hairdressers would pull teeth or do small dental work after styling someone’s hair.  This is because dentistry was mostly viewed for cosmetic purposes. 

Dental school was not a thing until about 1840 when a school in Maryland was founded. Dentistry was not valued as highly as most medical care. The original Medicaid program was released in 1965 and only 2.3 percent of Americans held some form of dental care insurance. 

Wow, dentistry has come a long way since the 1800s. But still today, dentistry is not available to the level it needs to be for Americans to have access to dental services.  This goes back to the fact that Medicaid covers very limited forms of dental. 

Why Is Dental Care So Important? 

Dental care is more than just a pretty smile, but people often under estimate the effects of feeling confident in your smile. Having a nice smile and healthy teeth says a lot about a person. If a person has healthy teeth it shows good hygiene, along with positive character traits like being responsible and trustworthy. If someone has missing teeth he or she is often viewed differently. People with missing teeth or poor oral health typically suffer socially and financially. Having a smile to be proud of is healthy both physically and emotionally. Healthy teeth equals confidence. With a healthy smile, it is easier to find jobs, increase earnings, and find housing.

Oral health is also very important. There have been cases of people dying from problems that derive in the mouth. Simple tooth infections can cause major problems if the infection spreads. Even minor problems like a toothache can cause serious problems to occur. The mouth is located near one of the most important parts of the body: the brain. And because eyes and ears are also located by the mouth, this means that oral problems will likely affect these areas as well. Have you ever had a toothache that also caused you to have a headache? That is perfectly normal and is a sign that you need to visit a dentist. The Mayo Clinic reports that the following conditions can be linked to oral health: 

·         Endocarditis- When bacteria from an area of the body, such as the mouth, spreads through the blood stream it can attach to the inner lining of your heart.

·         Cardiovascular Disease- Oral bacteria from the mouth can cause infections and inflammation that can cause heart disease, clogged arteries, and strokes.

·         Birth Defects- Gum infections can cause premature birth or low birth weight.

South Charlotte Dentistry strives to encourage people to practice good oral hygiene. Dr. Wells recommends that people visit the dentist every six months. This helps encourage healthy teeth and a confident smile. While dental care in not a part of the regular healthcare system, South Charlotte Dentistry hopes that this will one day change. Schedule an appointment with South Charlotte Dentistry by calling 704-759-0908.

South Charlotte Dental offers the latest in dental crowns. Same-day crown service available.

Register Your Baby For Dental Care

It's never too early to register your little one for good dental care.  Call Dr. Wells office at 704.759.0908 for more information on pediatric dental care.