Head Start

When children take medicine, can it be harmful to their teeth?

Certain medicines, including those sold over the counter, may be harmful to children's teeth, especially if the medicines are taken over a long period of time.Medicines that contain sugar (for example, liquid antibiotics, vitamins, gummy tablets, lollipop medicines, cough drops, cough syrups, and asthma syrups) may coat or stick to the teeth, which can lead to tooth decay. Pills designed to dissolve in the mouth may also contain sugar or release other erosive agents that promote tooth decay. Other medicines, such as antihistamines or asthma inhalants, reduce saliva production and cause dry mouth, which increases a person's risk for tooth decay. Saliva is important to oral health because it contains antibacterial properties, lubricates tissues in the mouth, and removes food debris from the mouth.When a medicine is prescribed for a child, it is important to ask the physician, nurse, or pharmacist about possible side effects and what can be done to prevent or reduce such side effects. Parents should ask the physician, nurse, or pharmacist to provide sugar-free alternatives, if any are available. Parents should provide all health professionals with information about a child's chronic health condition. This ensures that health professionals are aware of factors that could influence health decision-making. Children who have chronic health conditions should have close oral health supervision. Furthermore, while evidence is mixed as to whether inhaled medicines are a risk factor for tooth decay in children, children with asthma should have more frequent oral health supervision.

To lower the risk for tooth decay, the following measures should be taken:

• Be sure that parents understand and follow prescribed and labeled directions for all medicines.

• Have the child take medicine with meals or snacks (if the medicine may be taken with food).

• Brush the child's teeth after the child takes medicine.

• Have the child take frequent sips of water throughout the day.

Performance Standards

1304.20(c)(1)

1304.20(c)(2)

1304.20(c)(3)(ii)

References

American Dental Association. 2005. For the dental patient. How medications can affect your oral health. Journal of the American Dental Association 136(6):831.

Meldrum AM, Thomson WM, Drummond BK, Sears MR. 2001. Is asthma a risk factor for dental caries? Findings from a cohort study. Caries Research 35(4):235-239.

Milano M, Lee JY, Donovan K, Chen JW. 2006. A cross-sectional study of medication-related factors and caries experience in asthmatic children. Pediatric Dentistry 28(5):415-419.

Reddy DK, Hegde AM, Munshi AK. 2003. Dental caries status of children with bronchial asthma. Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry 27(3):293-295.

Shulman JD, Taylor SE, Nunn ME. 2001. The association between asthma and dental caries in children and adolescents: A population-based case-control study. Caries Research 35(4):240-246.

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	Library Publications MCHB-Funded Projects Grants Administration TOHSS Head Start Alert Newsletter FAQs Links Bright Futures Toolbox Electronic Lists & Newsletters Links About Us FAQs Contact	A⁺ a^- Head Start When children take medicine, can it be harmful to their teeth? Certain medicines, including those sold over the counter, may be harmful to children's teeth, especially if the medicines are taken over a long period of time.Medicines that contain sugar (for example, liquid antibiotics, vitamins, gummy tablets, lollipop medicines, cough drops, cough syrups, and asthma syrups) may coat or stick to the teeth, which can lead to tooth decay. Pills designed to dissolve in the mouth may also contain sugar or release other erosive agents that promote tooth decay. Other medicines, such as antihistamines or asthma inhalants, reduce saliva production and cause dry mouth, which increases a person's risk for tooth decay. Saliva is important to oral health because it contains antibacterial properties, lubricates tissues in the mouth, and removes food debris from the mouth.When a medicine is prescribed for a child, it is important to ask the physician, nurse, or pharmacist about possible side effects and what can be done to prevent or reduce such side effects. Parents should ask the physician, nurse, or pharmacist to provide sugar-free alternatives, if any are available. Parents should provide all health professionals with information about a child's chronic health condition. This ensures that health professionals are aware of factors that could influence health decision-making. Children who have chronic health conditions should have close oral health supervision. Furthermore, while evidence is mixed as to whether inhaled medicines are a risk factor for tooth decay in children, children with asthma should have more frequent oral health supervision. To lower the risk for tooth decay, the following measures should be taken: • Be sure that parents understand and follow prescribed and labeled directions for all medicines. • Have the child take medicine with meals or snacks (if the medicine may be taken with food). • Brush the child's teeth after the child takes medicine. • Have the child take frequent sips of water throughout the day. Performance Standards 1304.20(c)(1) 1304.20(c)(2) 1304.20(c)(3)(ii) References American Dental Association. 2005. For the dental patient. How medications can affect your oral health. Journal of the American Dental Association 136(6):831. Meldrum AM, Thomson WM, Drummond BK, Sears MR. 2001. Is asthma a risk factor for dental caries? Findings from a cohort study. Caries Research 35(4):235-239. Milano M, Lee JY, Donovan K, Chen JW. 2006. A cross-sectional study of medication-related factors and caries experience in asthmatic children. Pediatric Dentistry 28(5):415-419. Reddy DK, Hegde AM, Munshi AK. 2003. Dental caries status of children with bronchial asthma. Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry 27(3):293-295. Shulman JD, Taylor SE, Nunn ME. 2001. The association between asthma and dental caries in children and adolescents: A population-based case-control study. Caries Research 35(4):240-246. Share \|
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