Anti-Convulsant Medication And Overgrown Gum Tissue
Posted on: 24 February 2021
If you take anti-convulsant medication to control your seizures, then it is important that you keep regular appointments with your family dentist. Anti-convulsant medications not only cause side effects such as dizziness, fatigue, and visual disturbances, but they also may cause hyperplasia of your gum tissue or overgrown gums. Here are some ways your family dentist can diagnose and treat hyperplasia of your gums caused by your anti-convulsant medication.
Diagnosing Overgrown Gums
Your dentist can easily diagnose overgrown gums simply by an oral examination. They will also evaluate the severity of your hyperplastic gum tissue so that an effective treatment plan can be implemented. Mildly overgrown gums may simply appear as minimally swollen, however, moderate to severe gum overgrowth may present as deep red, severely inflamed gum tissue.
Severely overgrown gum tissue may cover the tops of your top teeth and the bottoms of your lower teeth. Your gum tissue may even occupy the spaces between your teeth. In addition to inflammation and redness, hyperplasia of the gums may cause profuse bleeding upon the slightest touch. In addition to heavy bleeding, the bleeding may be difficult to stop during a probing dental examination.
Treating Overgrown Gums
If you have moderate to severe gum overgrowth, brushing and flossing properly may be challenging. When hyperplastic gum tissue proliferates into the spaces between your teeth, brushing and flossing may be ineffective at getting rid of bacteria and plaque. This can heighten your risk for dental decay and lead to periodontal disease. Because of this, it is essential that you get regular dental checkups and cleanings.
In addition to professional cleanings, your dental practitioner may prescribe an anti-microbial mouthwash to further eliminate oral bacteria. Your dentist may also recommend talking to your primary care doctor about decreasing the dosage of your anti-convulsant medication. Although hyperplasia of the gums can occur in people taking low-dose anti-convulsant medication, it usually affects those whose dosage is high. Decreasing your dosage may help reverse gum overgrowth while lowering your risk for gingival infections.
If you have a seizure disorder and take anti-convulsant medications, see both your family dentist and primary care physician on a regular basis. With appropriate dental and medical monitoring and treatment, you will be less likely to experience oral complications such as periodontal disease. Severe periodontal disease can damage the underlying bones that support your teeth, raising your risk for chewing problems and even tooth loss.
Contact a local family dentist if you have additional questions.
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