A new study has shown that more than 600 medications have the potential to cause an increase in tooth decay due to a reduction in the production of saliva. Saliva serves many useful functions, such as protecting and helping to repair teeth from the constant assaults that bacteria and our diet together mount against our tooth enamel.

In a recent experiment with clonidine (Catapres), a high blood pressure medication and becoming more popular in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, researchers showed that rats receiving clonidine developed 84 percent more cavities on the smooth surfaces of their teeth than rats not on the medicine. Nearly half of all patients taking this drug complain of dry mouth.

In previous studies it has been shown that the drugs atropine and propranolol (Inderal) also boost the cavity rate in rats. Researchers found that propranolol, commonly used in heart disease, alters the composition of saliva and makes it less effective, while atropine lessens saliva flow. Drugs that behave like atropine include popular antihistamines like Benadryl, anti-depressants such as Elavil and Aventyl, and Detrol, which is used to treat incontinence.

According to researchers "Our saliva washes away sugars and other substances that help promote cavities. It neutralizes the acids in our mouths". Additionally, saliva contains large quantities of minerals like calcium and phosphate, which helps to remineralize the teeth which have these minerals removed by acid from bacteria on your teeth, especially after eating sugar.

Unfortunately, most patients and doctors are not aware of this problem, which affects millions of people on these medications.

Also, researchers note that a dry mouth can also increase tooth decay in another way, since many people start drinking more liquids such as juices or sodas that contain sugar and are acidic.

ScienceDaily Magazine 5/29/00

Source: University Of Rochester

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Another good reason to avoid drugs. They rarely are the answer to the cause of the health problems that we contend with. The researchers suggest a variety of steps for those whose medications cause dry mouth, such as switching to a different one or reducing the dose, or changing the diet (I suggest following the low grain, no sugar diet). I would not advise using fluoride to reduce the risk of cavities. However, I find that if one is careful, the use of a scaler is particularly helpful to remove resistant plaque. The use of water pik devices is also helpful to keep the gums healthy.