Migraine drug therapy: dental implications

Triptan drugs continue to constitute the major pharmacotherapeutic interventional agents for migraine therapy. Interactions of dental drugs with migraine medications are limited, but their seriousness dictates that dentists be aware of the use of ergot alkaloids, triptans, or other migraine drugs. While many migraine sufferers avoid dental therapy dur ing migraine attacks, the practitioner who is treating a patient who has taken migraine medications must carefully monitor the cardiovascular status of the patient, which may affect the use of vasoconstrictors. Macrolide antibiotics and azole antifungals represent additional drug groups that are prescribed by dentists but which may potentiate the adverse effects of migraine drugs. Migraine patients prefer agents that offer rapid onset of relief and total relief within a couple hours of drug administration; they also prefer therapy that prevents recurrences and does not require "rescue" medications, and, of course, a lack of adverse effects and interactions with other medications. Currently, no single drug or class of drugs offers this ideal combination of actions in all patients.     

Drug interactions: COMT inhibitors

To reduce the incidence of adverse drug interactions during dental treatment, always consult drug references when an unfamiliar drug is detected via the health history. It is crucial to understand the effects of a patient's preexisting disease and the medications used to treat it and their implications on dental therapy.     

Oral manifestations of drug therapy

Increasingly, patients with complicated medical problems are coming to dental offices for treatment. These patients report using a variety of medications to control one or more chronic conditions. Many of these medications produce changes in the mouth because of toxic overdoses, side effects, allergic reactions, or as a consequence of the primary action of the drug. These effects include: xerostomia, gingival hyperplasia, candidiasis, mucositis, stomatopyrosis, gingival bleeding, petechia, salivary gland problems, intrinsic stain, cheilitis, erythema multiforme, lichen planus, ulcerations, taste changes, tardive dyskinesias, and soft tissue pigmentation. This article discusses presentations and causes of oral changes secondary to systemic drug use.     

Selective COX-2 inhibitors: a review of their therapeutic potential and safety in dentistry

Anti-inflammatory analgesics are commonly used medications in dental and medical practice. Their uses in dentistry include use as analgesics and as anti-inflammatory agents. In addition, antipyretic action accompanies the medication. The action of these groups of drugs depends on the dose provided. Analgesic and antipyretic effects occur at low dose, whereas analgesic effects occur at high dose. Among the common side effects of this class of medications are gastrointestinal irritation with potential for ulceration, increased tendency for bleeding due to antiplatelet effects, and long-term chronic dosing effects on renal function may occur. Recent developments in the anti-inflammatory group of medications include the introduction of cyclooxygenase-II inhibitors. These agents offer potentially significant advantages because of their relative lack of gastrointestinal irritation. Because of this, it is likely that these medications will be frequently used in the management of dental and medical conditions. Patients will present while on these medications, and these agents may serve as medications for management of dental pain, postsurgical pain, and for anti-inflammatory effects. The current literature indicates that COX-2 inhibitors offer substantial benefits because of their favorable gastrointestinal profiles and because of their lack of effect on platelet function.     

The relationship between cardiovascular xerogenic medication intake and the incidence of crown/root restorations

OBJECTIVES: This retrospective, longitudinal cohort study quantified the strength of the association between xerogenic cardiovascular medication use and dental restorations, using the latter as a proxy measure for dental caries experience. METHODS: Study data were collected from 11 years of electronic clinical/pharmacy records in two large dental group practices associated with managed care organizations (MCO). Records were extracted for all members who were at least 55 years old at the end of the 11 year window, and had at least 48 months of concurrent dental, medical, and pharmacy coverage. The authors identified 4448 individuals whose only xerogenic medication exposure was to drugs treating a cardiovascular condition. This group was compared to a group not taking any medications (n=1183), and a group taking medications with no known xerostomic side effect (n=5622). Poisson regression compared restoration incidence and mean restoration rates among the three groups. RESULTS: MCO members taking cardiovascular or nonxerogenic medications had higher restoration incidence and mean restoration rates than individuals taking no medications. A small difference in mean restoration rate between the non-xerogenic medication group and the cardiovascular drug group was observed; no significant difference in restoration incidence was seen between these two groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides objective quantification of cardiovascular medication's long-term effects on increased restorations in older adults. When grouped under a single category labeled "cardiovascular", drugs with effects targeting the cardiovascular system did not appear to unequivocally lead to higher restorative experiences.     

Clinical management of the dental patient taking multiple drugs

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) occur often in elders often due to polypharmacy. Those over 65 currently comprise 13% of the population but consume approximately a third of all drugs prescribed. Increased care when prescribing certain drug classes and careful monitoring of the patient can prevent many ADRs. This article examines four questions that should be addressed when providing dental care for an older patient taking multiple medications. These include: (1) what are the medical conditions that necessitate the medications, (2) what impact do these medical conditions have on the provision of care, (3) what are the oral side effects of the medications, and (4) how will the patient's current list of medications alter the dentist's prescribing patterns for drugs used in dentistry?     

Medication side effects of dental interest

Many dental patients require continuing medication. With some, the medications will have side effects that have an oral or perioral manifestation. Commonly prescribed medications and their dental side effects are listed. This information may aid patients who have oral symptoms unrelated to the needed dental care.     

A review and guide to drug‐associated oral adverse effects—Dental,salivary and neurosensory reactions. Part 1

Numerous adverse drug reactions (ADR) manifest in the oral cavity and orofacial region. Dentists and other health professionals commonly encounter and manage these adverse effects however, due to lack of awareness and training, they are not always recognised as being drug‐induced nor reported to pharmacovigilance agencies. The broad diversity and increasing number of medications for which dental pharmacovigilance is needed can be overwhelming for all health professionals. Thus, the aim of this review and guide was to outline the common medications associated with orofacial side effects so as to improve recognition, management and reporting of ADR. Adverse effects discussed in Part 1 include drug‐induced bruxism, tardive dyskinesia, hairy tongue, gingival enlargement, hypersalivation, xerostomia, tooth discolouration and taste disturbance.     

Drugs and the geriatric patient. A dental hygiene perspective

The increasing proportion of elderly people in American society offers a challenge to dental hygienists. It is important that dental hygienists possess a basic knowledge of medications generally prescribed for the elderly. The purpose of this paper is to inform the practicing hygienist about the drugs most commonly used by the elderly. General physiological results of aging that affect drug therapy, four basic categories of drugs prescribed for the elderly, and drug-induced oral conditions are discussed. In addition, reference manuals are recommended for use at chairside by the practicing hygienist.     

Effects of antiresorptive medications on tooth root formation and tooth eruption in paediatric patients

Tooth eruption is a pivotal milestone for children's growth and development. This process involves with the formation of the tooth root, the periodontal ligament (PDL) and the alveolar bone, as the tooth crown penetrates the bone and gingiva to enter the oral cavity. This review aims to outline current knowledge of the adverse dental effects of antiresorptive medications. Recently, paediatric indications for antiresorptive medications, such as bisphosphonates (BPs), have emerged, and these agents are increasingly used in children and adolescents to cure pathological bone resorption associated with bone diseases and cancers. Since tooth eruption is accompanied by osteoclastic bone resorption, it is expected that the administration of antiresorptive medications during this period affects tooth development. Indeed, several articles studying human patient cohorts and animal models report the dental defects associated with the use of these antiresorptive medications. This review shows the summary of the possible factors related to tooth eruption and introduces the future research direction to understand the mechanisms underlying the dental defects caused by antiresorptive medications.     

Antidepressant use in psychiatry and medicine: importance for dental practice

BACKGROUND: Many dental patients receive antidepressant therapy. However, antidepressants taken with other drugs may increase the risk of complications that require special dental precautions and care. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective study of 1,800 randomly selected patient records and evaluated the prevalence of using antidepressants and other medications concurrently. They analyzed antidepressant intake relative to drug classification and mechanism of action, age, sex and associated potential for clinical complications such as xerostomia, orthostatic hypotension and interaction with vasoconstrictors. The potential for additive adverse effects between antidepressants and other medications also was analyzed. RESULTS: Three hundred eighty-one (21 percent) of the 1,800 patient records indicated that patients were being treated with 412 antidepressants. Female subjects out-numbered male subjects by an approximate 2.3:1 ratio. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were most commonly prescribed, followed by tricyclic antidepressants, atypical and third-generation antidepressants, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Based on reported medication intake, almost 58 percent of subjects in the antidepressant group were receiving treatment with two or more medications that had the potential for producing xerostomia. Two hundred fifty-seven (67 percent) of the 381 records documented intake of an antidepressant or other medication with orthostatic hypotension potential. CONCLUSIONS: Three hundred eighty-one patients reported that they were receiving antidepressant therapy for psychiatric and other medical reasons. Potential adverse effects and interactions with other medications have direct implications for dental treatment. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Patients receiving antidepressant therapy are at risk of developing xerostomia and orthostatic hypotension, as well as experiencing the adverse effects of interaction with vasoconstrictors. Dentists must take appropriate precautions in treating these patients.     

Geriatric alcoholism: pathophysiology and dental implications

BACKGROUND: The authors reviewed the clinical features, epidemiology, diagnosis, medical treatment, orofacial findings and dental treatment of geriatric patients with alcoholism. TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED: The authors conducted MEDLINE searches for the period 1995 through 2004 using the terms "alcoholism," "geriatric," "pathophysiology," "treatment" and "dentistry." They selected reports published in English in peer-reviewed journals for further review. RESULTS: Physiological changes associated with aging permit the harmful effects of drinking alcohol to arise at lower levels of consumption than in younger people. Excessive use of alcohol exacerbates the medical and emotional problems associated with aging and predisposes the person to adverse drug reactions with medications controlling these illnesses. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The incidence of dental disease in this population is extensive because of diminished salivary flow and a disinterest in performing appropriate oral hygiene techniques. Concurrent abuse of tobacco products worsens dental disease and heightens the risk of developing oral cancer. Identification of patients who abuse alcohol, a cancer-screening examination, preventive dental education, and use of saliva substitutes and anticaries agents are indicated. Clinicians must take precautions when performing surgery and when prescribing or administering analgesics, antibiotics or sedative agents that are likely to have an adverse interaction with alcohol.     

Systemic diseases and the elderly

Although systemic diseases can occur at any age, they are more common in older patients. Accurate and detailed medical and drug histories are important in dental practice as many conditions and medications can influence oral health and dental care in patients. Not only can these conditions influence patient care in the surgery and oral hygiene at home, but access to dental services may also be adversely affected. Clinical Relevance: The systemic diseases can impact upon oral care or can have oral manifestations. Many of the pharmacological interventions prescribed for chronic conditions can have multiple and diverse adverse effects on the oral environment.     

Antidepressant xerogenic medications and restoration rates

OBJECTIVES: This report examines the association between xerogenic antidepressant medication use and dental restorations (a proxy for dental caries). METHODS: Data for this study was collected from the electronic databases of two large dental group practices associated with two managed care organizations. The population examined was at least 55-year-old on the reference date and had at least 48 months of concurrent dental, medical and pharmacy coverage. We identified 915 individuals whose only exposure to a xerogenic medication was to an antidepressant. This group was compared with a group not on any medications and to a group on medications without any known xerostomic side effect. RESULTS: Poisson regression was used to compare restoration occurrence and restoration rates among the three groups. The antidepressant medication and the no xerogenic medication groups were more likely to have restorations than the no medication group but there was no difference in restoration rates between the two medication groups. The mean restoration rates were significantly different between the three groups with the antidepressant group having the highest restoration rate. The no xerogenic group also had a higher rate than the no medication group but not as high as the antidepressant group rate. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides objective quantification of the long-term effects that anti-depressant medications have on restoration use.     

妊娠期药物动力学及口腔感染性疾病的安全用药

妊娠期妇女因其所处生理阶段的特殊性,各项生理指标会有所变化,发生口腔疾病的风险急剧增加,对口腔感染性疾病不及时治疗或不合理用药可能会导致胎儿畸形甚至流产。本文对妊娠期药物动力学改变、妊娠期用药原则及治疗口腔感染性疾病常用药物进行综述,为口腔科医生对处于妊娠期口腔感染性疾病患者安全用药提供参考。     

Herbal supplements: considerations in dental practice

Over-the-counter natural herb products constitute a rapidly growing market in the United States. As with conventional medications, the health care provider needs to be aware of these products' effects, side effects, advantageous synergies, and possible or probable adverse drug reactions. This paper will present 20 of the most frequently used herbs in the United States and discuss appropriate precautions and herb-drug interactions of possible concern in clinical dental practice.     

Drug users: oral health-related attitudes and behaviours

AIM: Explore oral health-related attitudes and behaviours of drug users. DESIGN: Qualitative study using focus groups and semi-structured interviews. SETTING: Facilities for treatment and recovery of drug users in South London. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-six male and 14 female recovering drug users. RESULTS: Participants described many changes in lifestyle associated with drug use including the physical effects of drugs, dietary habits, organisational and time constraints and unfavourable social conditions, which were not conducive to oral health. There was considerable health consciousness. They associated general health problems and problems with teeth, gums and oral soft tissues to both direct and indirect effects of drug use. Use of dental services was inhibited by low priority for oral health relative to the need to obtain and use drugs, experientially induced fear of dentists, the acceptability of dental services, needle-phobia, ability to self-medicate and organisational factors in their lifestyles. CONCLUSIONS: The lifestyles of drug users may contribute to oral health problems and low use of services. Drug users therefore comprise a group with special dental needs and need greater access to dental care than most people. Much of this care could be provided in general practice where appropriate dental care can contribute to recovery from drug use.