Don't Let a Missing Tooth Hold You Back in Life

Calcium Channel Blockers And Gum Overgrowth

by Wyatt Morgan

If you have high blood pressure, chest pain, a cardiac arrhythmia, or coronary artery disease, then your cardiologist may have prescribed medications for you known as calcium channel blockers. While these medications help widen your coronary arteries, they can cause side effects such as dizziness, headaches, ankle swelling, and constipation.

Calcium channel blockers may also cause an oral condition known as gum overgrowth, or gum hyperplasia. If you wear braces, overgrown gum tissue can be very problematic, so you will need to see your orthodontic braces services professional on a regular basis for checkups. Here are things you need to know about if you develop drug-related gum overgrowth while wearing your braces:

Signs And Symptoms

Gum overgrowth makes your gum tissue grow out of control. Your gums will enlarge, and may grow over your teeth and in between your teeth. Your gums may become dark red, feel sore, and bleed profusely.

If you wear braces, your gum tissue may even grow over your wires and brackets, causing pain, and raising your risk for infection. If you take calcium channel blockers and develop problems with your gums, see both your cardiologist and orthodontist.

Your cardiologist may decide to either lower the dosage of your calcium channel blocker or prescribe a different cardiac medication not known for causing gum problems. Your orthodontist will closely monitor your gum condition, and if your gum tissue is impinging on your braces, he or she will implement a treatment plan.

Treatment

The most important thing you can do for your gum overgrowth is maintain a strict regimen of oral hygiene. Brush and floss your teeth after every meal, and see your dentist on a regular basis.

Getting more frequent cleanings by your dentist will also help reduce gum inflammation and will help lower your risk for infections. Your family dentist or orthodontist may also prescribe an antibacterial mouthwash to use a couple of times a day to help get rid of bacteria underneath your gums, where you may be unable to reach with your toothbrush.

If your gums feel irritated or burn as a result of hyperplasia, make a weak saltwater solution and swish it around your mouth for a few seconds. The solution will soothe your gums and may help prevent infections. 

If you take calcium channel blockers and develop gum overgrowth, see your orthodontic braces services specialist on a regular basis. When problems with your gums and braces are recognized and treated early on, you are less likely to develop problems such as periodontitis, a serious type of gum disease.

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