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| |  Medications Have Unintended Positive and Negative Side Effects on Gums WASHINGTON, MD -- October 3, 1997 -- Considerable research has been conducted documenting the effect medications have on oral health, but new work is emerging that suggests some common drugs might affect periodontal health in surprisingly positive ways. Sebastian Ciancio, D.D.S., a clinical professor of pharmacology and professor of periodontology at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, will present his findings Oct. 18, 1997 at the American Dental Association's (ADA) 138th Annual Session in Washington. There are more than 400 medications that initiate dry mouth, which can cause a number of dental problems, but researchers are uncovering information on some medications that suggest positive side effects patients and dentists need to be aware of, said Dr. Ciancio. "Many patients with arthritis take gold salts and they may have a lower incidence of periodontal (gum) disease," Dr. Ciancio said. Heavy metals have been shown to alter the way enzymes in bacteria act, and this may be the reason why arthritis patients who take gold salts are at lower risk for periodontal disease. Researchers also discovered patients with acne had better periodontal health and that this improvement was tied to the antibiotic tetracycline, which was often prescribed to treat acne. This discovery has led to more research on antibiotics and periodontal disease. "In addition to killing bacteria, tetracyline may stabilize collagen, which is the building block for connective tissue and bone, and its instability helps cause acne," he explained. In several recent studies, patients who were given common antibiotics noticed improved periodontal health, less bone loss and less bone detachment than control groups. It was further shown that combining flurbiprofen and antibiotics may enhance the collagen stabilizing effect of tetracylines. Dr. Ciancio added research to examine other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ketoprofen is underway to determine whether these, too, have a role in improving periodontal health. As dental researchers understand the mechanisms between medications and teeth and gums, they will be better prepared to respond to future adverse reactions from medications while also being in a better position to take advantage of those helpful reactions that occur. Dr. Ciancio also advises patients to be aware that it is more common for medications to have negative side effects. He listed three types of medications that have been shown to cause swelling in the gums: calcium channel blockers that are used to treat high blood pressure or cardiac arrythmia; anti-convulsive medications such as dilantin, used to treat conditions such as epilepsy; and drugs (cyclosporin) used by patients who have received liver, kidney or heart transplants. The problem with these medications is as they cause the gums to swell the gum disease has larger crevices to settle into and spread to underlying bone, causing severe periodontal disease and bone loss. "It's important that patients who take these medications get on a rigorous oral hygiene regimen soon after they begin taking their medications," he said.
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