Case Report
Year : 2019 | Volume : 7 | Issue : 1 | Page : 24 - 27
Medication Use for Glaucoma Contributing to a High Caries Risk
Afolabi Oyapero, Cynthia O. Amadasun1 , Olufemi O. Olagundoye
Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Lagos State University College of Medicine, 1
Department of Restorative Dentistry, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
Address for correspondence:
Dr. Afolabi Oyapero,
Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Lagos State
University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. E‐mail: fola_ba@yahoo.com
Abstract
Dental caries is a chronic, transmissible disease of multifactorial etiology. There are a number of factors involved in the process of caries development. Xerostomia, resulting from medication use, may act synergistically with other known caries risk factors and indicators. We present a case report of a patient with high caries risk complicated by reduced salivary flow due to medications used in the treatment of glaucoma (Brimodin and Xalacom). A 36‐year‐old woman presented was referred to the Preventive Dentistry Clinic of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Nigeria, on account of a 3‐week history of toothache in the upper right quadrant. She had a high caries risk and a decayed, missing, and filled teeth index of 19. Consumption of cariogenic meals, poor plaque control, and treatment of glaucoma since childhood, with xerogenic medication, including xalacom and brimodin were determined to be part of the multifactorial etiology in this case. After relief of pain through pulp extirpation, the patient motivation and counseling on caries process, the need for good oral hygiene, and proper diet were done. Scaling and polishing were also done in addition to fluoride therapy and chemical plaque control. Improvement of salivary flow with the use of sugar‐free chewing gum, artificial saliva, and frequent sipping of small quantities of water was also prescribed while the patient was referred to the restorative and oral surgery units for extraction of retained roots, composite fillings, and denture fabrication. Patients that present to any dental clinic with multiple carious lesions must be reviewed by the preventive dentistry specialists and have their caries risk assessed. It is also imperative that ophthalmologists include a dental consultation in the overall management of their patients, especially when they prescribe medication that has known oral side effects.
Keywords: Dental caries, glaucoma, medication, risk factors
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
How to cite this article:
Oyapero A, Amadasun CO, Olagundoye OO. Medication use for glaucoma contributing to a high caries risk. Int J Community Dent 2019;7:24-7.
