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Posted on 11/20/2019 by Brian Rounds, DDS |
 One day your tooth begins to hurt. You think to yourself no big deal I will just pick up a bottle of over the counter painkillers on the way home. Or maybe you read about some herbal remedies promising relief. The truth is many over the counter and homeopathic remedies can cause harm to the gums and teeth. Even minor tooth pain can be a sign of a larger problem and here are some reasons why you should avoid self-medicating. Dry Mouth SyndromeMany medications can produce a negative response known as Dry Mouth Syndrome where the flow of saliva is significantly diminished. Saliva does plenty of beneficial actions inside your mouth such as reducing the number of bacteria present by cleaning the teeth of stuck-on foods. It also aids the re-mineralization of teeth and helps to nullify acids that promote tooth decay. A dry mouth can lead to a host of problems that only make the situation worse in the future.Masking instead of FixingMany over the counter medications and home remedies do not fix the problem. They only mask it. This is very much like throwing a piece of duct tape over a hole in your sinking ship. Without fixing the underlying issue taking medication can ultimately cause more damage and be more costly in the long run. Furthermore, some medications, with prolonged use, can lead to other adverse effects such as rashes, loss of appetite, headaches, or even liver damage.Proper care of your teeth is essential to a long and happy life. Slight mouth pain can be a sign of something more serious and prevention is always better than a cure. Self-medicating may seem like a quick, painless, and cheap fix although this can be more damaging on both your teeth and your wallet. To find out more contact our office today and schedule your consultation. We would be more than happy to discuss the cons of self-medication and the pros of regularly scheduled dental visits. |
