American Association of Retired Persons has issued a warning against calcium channel blockers, used to lower blood pressure in patients with hypertension. It can cause gingival overgrowth, a buildup of swollen gum tissue that grows over teeth, creating a bacteria-friendly environment. The overgrowth can be unsightly, but it can also cause discomfort and pain, especially if it interferes with chewing.
Calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine (Norvasc) and felodipine (Plendil) are frequent culprits. Antiseizure medications, such as phenytoin (Phenytek), as well as immunosuppressive agents, such as cyclosporine (Neoral and Gengraf) and methotrexate (Otrexup and Trexall), are also associated with this condition. People with organ transplants or those with severe rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis are usually prescribed these medications to prevent the immune system from damaging healthy cells. “Gingival overgrowth doesn’t usually happen from the drugs alone,” AARP expert points out. “It’s usually the drug in combination with tissue irritation from things like plaque. When they take these medications and maintain good hygiene, we don’t seem to see problems.”
If you experience the above, consult your physician about alternative medications.
Make sure you visit the dentist more often. You can also lower your risk of developing this condition by having your teeth cleaned more frequently (every four months). Particularly for patients with overgrowth, oral hygiene should be increased. Plaque control cannot reverse the problem, but it can prevent it from getting worse.
Overgrown gum tissue can be removed through periodontal procedures if the problem persists. A gingivectomy involves surgically removing diseased gum tissue around the teeth. “However, this is a temporary fix,” AARP expert concludes, “The medication the patient is taking will often lead to continued overgrowth, and over time the gum tissue will come back again.”
