International Journal of Community Dentistry

CASE REPORT
Year
: 2019  |  Volume : 7  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 24--27

Medication use for glaucoma contributing to a high caries risk


Afolabi Oyapero1, Cynthia O Amadasun2, Olufemi O Olagundoye1 
1 Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Lagos, Nigeria
2 Department of Restorative Dentistry, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Afolabi Oyapero
Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos
Nigeria

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.


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;7:24-27


How to cite this URL:
Oyapero A, Amadasun CO, Olagundoye OO. Medication use for glaucoma contributing to a high caries risk. Int J Community Dent [serial online] 2019 [cited 2024 Mar 29 ];7:24-27
Available from: https://www.ijcommdent.com/article.asp?issn=2589-8388;year=2019;volume=7;issue=1;spage=24;epage=27;aulast=Oyapero;type=0