Drugs
and your oral health.
Dr. Sayeed Ahmad D.
I. Hom. (London)In one of her articles Dr. Lina C. Gracia, D. M. D.,
explained that the drugs side effects that may cause permanent
consequences to the human being occur because drugs are not specific in
their actions. Medications and drugs do not exclusively go to the cells
that are involved in the problem–instead they go to tissues, blood,
lymph, all cells and organs of the whole body, metastasizing side
effects to the whole system.For instance, an antidepressant could help people to
improve their moods because of its doping affects, which are similar to
cocaine and marijuana. The only difference is that one is sold legally
by pharmaceutical companies and the other by illegal sources. But the
side effects and addictive properties are very similar. Examples of the
similarities include insomnia, suicidal ideation, loss or gain of sex
drive, dry mouth and alteration in moods.There are many drugs that can cause serious side
effects that alter your oral health. Some of these effects include:
- Dry mouth
- Permanent tooth discoloration
- Gingival hyperplasia
- Oral lesions
- Abnormal bleeding
- Jaw clenching
- Teeth grinding
Dry Mouth:
This can
be caused by common antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications,
antihistamines, anti-inflammatory drugs and narcotics in addition to
drugs used for glaucoma and bladder spasms and urinary retention as well
as antihypertensives. When the mouth is chronically dry, the teeth, oral
mucosa and soft tissue are easily inflamed, painful and prone to
infection. This environment commonly leads to tooth decay and necrosis
of the nerves innervating the teeth.
Tooth Discoloration:
This is a common side effect of some antibiotics.
Gingival Hyperplasia:
This is a condition defined as overgrowth of the gum tissue. It is
commonly caused by seizure medications, heart medications, medications
for high blood pressure and immunosuppressant medications.
Oral Lesions:
This
is defined as soft tissue discoloration and inflammation. This can be
caused by drugs used for blood pressure, immunosuppressants, oral
contraceptives and chemotherapy drugs.
Abnormal Bleeding:
This can be caused by drugs such as aspirin, nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), steroids and anticoagulants, which are
used to thin the blood in common conditions associated with strokes and
certain diseases associated with the heart and arrhythmias.
Jaw Clenching and Teeth Grinding:
These can be side effects of antidepressants and anti-anxiety
medications. A diet rich in sugars and sugar-forming foods cultivate the
growth of parasites, viruses and bacteria. This affects our metabolism
and stimulates the nervous system causing it to be “over
charged” and resulting in the clinging and grinding of the jaw.
Drugs Demand More Drugs
Drugs that are prescribed for certain symptoms and
diseases commonly cause side effects–this we have established. As
though this weren’t enough, those side effects are often treated with
other drugs to counteract the initial side effects. Thus, the cycle goes
on and on with more drugs being needed to counteract each other and
eventually a break down of the body and mind occurs–culminating in:
- Disease
- Disorientation
- Poor digestion and assimilation of foods
- Poor quality of life
- Premature death
An example of these effects include the bleeding
disorders, stomach ulcers, kidney and liver failure and anxiety that can
occur from anti-inflammatory medication used for pain. Another example,
cholesterol medications cause liver and kidney problems and have been
associated with an increase in dramatic deaths such as suicide and
murders. The same can occur with antidepressants and anti-anxiety
medications.Antibiotics are a double-edged sword in that they not
only kill the bad bacteria, but they also kill the good in addition to
suppressing the immune system, which opens the body and the person to
further disease.The Mitochondria, which are called the
“Powerhouse of the Cell” as they produce energy, are
postulated to have evolved from bacteria and were once a single unique
organism before it became part of the cell’s cytoplasm. The
Mitochondrial Theory supports that the mitochondria inside the cells is
similar or originated from a bacteria. If this possibility is true, then
antibiotic therapy that is killing the bad bacteria is not only killing
the good as stated above, but may also be exterminating the precious
Mitochondria.
One Patient on 25 Drugs!
Hundreds of patients on several medications and
medications for the medications come to Dr. Lina C. Gracia’s clinic
looking for alternatives. Recently she saw a patient who was diagnosed
with depression as a teenager that culminated in her being hospitalized
for shock treatments. In the last three years her treatment has been all
symptomatically approached, and she is now on 25 different medications
that include antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, seizure
medications prescribed for her moods and for headaches, antihistamines,
oral contraceptives, antiinflammatories, anti-ulcer medication, an
antipsychotic and three different asthma medications.When Dr. Lina saw this case, she was in shock that
someone could actually be taking all this medication at the age of 32.
She was a very productive person in the society and simply suffered from
an emotional breakdown. She followed up with the traditional system,
which included a psychiatrist, primary care physician and a neurologist
who just kept prescribing. One medication alone can have as many as 25
side effects or more–just imagine what 25 drugs can do. Twenty-five
times 25! This does not even take into consideration drug interactions
and the side effects of those drugs.
Nutrition
Nutrition plays an integral role in your health
overall. Nutrition requires discipline, eating organically grown and
produced foods with no processed sugars and flours. A diet rich in raw
vegetables, raw vegetable juices, dairy and animal proteins is a great
basis.The typical American diet is rich in processed foods,
artificial flavors, colors and preservatives, and high in sugars and
simple carbohydrates. This diet is surely one of the worst diets in the
world. Obesity and diabetes are running rampant in our society and are
directly a result of our poor diets. Our children are feasting on foods
with psychedelic colors and numerous preservatives, sugar-enriched
sodas, and processed breads and pastas, not to mention all the fast
foods.These foods have contributed to terrible dental decay
and gum diseases in addition to severe medical problems that lead to
both chronic and terminal abnormalities.
Lifestyle
Similar to nutrition, lifestyle also plays an
integral role in a person’s health and well-being. The way an
individual conducts their life, the activities that they are involved
in, whether or not they practice some type of meditation, and how well
they sleep are all integral parts of their health.
Exercise,
when
utilized properly, promotes flexibility and strength, stimulates
lymphatic and venous drainage, increases our stamina and helps relieve
stress. Meditation and relaxation are a very important part of balancing
the nervous and immune systems. Steady practice helps to cultivate an
optimal place of health in addition to creating the optimal environment
of recovery from illness to a place of recovery and health.Physicians, dentists and various practitioners should
be committed to treating patients in a holistic way. Human beings have
different parts to themselves, which include the mind, the body and the
spirit. True holistic practice looks at all of these parts and treats
the individual from a place of health.Finally, and most importantly, we need around eight
hours of sleep a night to recharge our batteries. This is essential to
help our bodies to regenerate and to stay healthy.A healthy lifestyle that includes all of the above
will support health and well-being especially in challenging times.Copyright © Dr. Sayeed Ahmad
2004