by Sheila Morrison
Dealing with mental illness is a huge learning curve. Other health problems easily become neglected. Dental care can be expensive and is sometimes left until an emergency arises. Prevention is key but it becomes even more important if you are taking certain medications for mental illness.
Many medications, especially anti-depressants, are known to result in a side effect known as dry mouth. The medications cause your saliva production to slow down. This means your body’s natural ability to flush bacteria and clean your mouth is not working properly.
Plaque (that nasty thick coating that the hygienist scrapes off) gets hard and gives a home to bacteria. This causes decay, gingivitis (inflamed gums next to the teeth) and periodontal (all the tissues that support a tooth) disease. Decay near the gum line is more difficult to treat and leads to toothaches sooner because it is close to the nerve.
Halifax dentist, Dr. Ken Rhodenizer, has these suggestions:
- Stay away from sweets and especially fruit juice –too much sugar encourages bacteria
- A drop of lemon juice on the tip of your tongue twice a day will stimulate your saliva to flow
- Brush with a soft toothbrush and floss regularly
- Ask your pharmacist about salivary substitutes
- Ask your pharmacist if your medications cause dry mouth
- Get regular checkups and cleaning
If your family member or friend is on assistance from Community Services they may be able to access funding for emergency or chronic dental care. Their caseworker can look into this but it is best to present the worker with a letter from a doctor or dentist outlining the seriousness of the dental need.
Reduced fees for dental care are available at Dalhousie University School of Dentistry.
Prevention is the key. Ask your psychiatrist or your pharmacist if dry mouth is a possibility and visit your dentist sooner rather than later!
by Sheila Morrison
Dealing with mental illness is a huge learning curve. Other health problems easily become neglected. Dental care can be expensive and is sometimes left until an emergency arises. Prevention is key but it becomes even more important if you are taking certain medications for mental illness.
Many medications, especially anti-depressants, are known to result in a side effect known as dry mouth. The medications cause your saliva production to slow down. This means your body’s natural ability to flush bacteria and clean your mouth is not working properly.
Plaque (that nasty thick coating that the hygienist scrapes off) gets hard and gives a home to bacteria. This causes decay, gingivitis (inflamed gums next to the teeth) and periodontal (all the tissues that support a tooth) disease. Decay near the gum line is more difficult to treat and leads to toothaches sooner because it is close to the nerve.
Halifax dentist, Dr. Ken Rhodenizer, has these suggestions:
- Stay away from sweets and especially fruit juice –too much sugar encourages bacteria
- A drop of lemon juice on the tip of your tongue twice a day will stimulate your saliva to flow
- Brush with a soft toothbrush and floss regularly
- Ask your pharmacist about salivary substitutes
- Ask your pharmacist if your medications cause dry mouth
- Get regular checkups and cleaning
If your family member or friend is on assistance from Community Services they may be able to access funding for emergency or chronic dental care. Their caseworker can look into this but it is best to present the worker with a letter from a doctor or dentist outlining the seriousness of the dental need.
Reduced fees for dental care are available at Dalhousie University School of Dentistry.
Prevention is the key. Ask your psychiatrist or your pharmacist if dry mouth is a possibility and visit your dentist sooner rather than later!