How do calcium channel blockers affect the mouth?
CCBs work by dilating (widening) the blood vessels, which makes it easier for the heart to pump blood. But in a small percentage of people, they also cause changes in the gums. Gum tissue may become thick and lumpy, and it may sometimes extend abnormally and start to cover the teeth.
How does amlodipine affect your gums?
Gingival overgrowth is an underappreciated side effect of amlodipine and is more common in patients with poor dental hygiene. Unchecked, gingival overgrowth can lead to pain, tooth loss, financial hardship, and psychosocial suffering.
How does verapamil cause gingival hyperplasia?
Twenty-four dentate patients who received verapamil for more than 1 year were identified. Of these, gingival hyperplasia occurred in 1 patient (4.1%) that was limited to the mandibular attached gingiva. Onset of gingival overgrowth was associated with drug dosage, bacterial accumulation, and gingival inflammation.
Why does calcium channel blockers cause gingival enlargement?
Etiology (pathogenesis) CCBs affect calcium metabolism by reducing the Ca2+cell influx, leading to a reduction in the uptake of folic acid, thus limiting the production of active collagenase. As a result of the reduction in collagen degradation, increased collagen accumulation occurs.
Does diltiazem cause gingival hyperplasia?
A small study of 89 patients undertaken at the Westside Veterans Administration Medical Center, Chicago seems to indicate that nifedipine and diltiazem do indeed cause gingival hyperplasia.
Does amlodipine cause gingival hyperplasia?
Gingival enlargement is one of the side effects associated with certain drugs. Amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, used as antihypertensive drug has been found associated with gingival hyperplasia.
Do all calcium channel blockers cause gingival hyperplasia?
Among the calcium channel blockers, gingival enlargement is most commonly associated with nifedipine and also with amlodipine, verapamil, nicardipine, nitrendipine, oxodipine, felodipine and diltiazem (15). None of the medications listed above was concomitantly used by our patient during the mentioned period.
What is the mechanism of action of nifedipine?
Mechanism of Action: The mechanism by which nifedipine reduces arterial blood pressure involves peripheral arterial vasodilatation and, consequently, a reduction in peripheral vascular resistance.
What causes gingival hyperplasia?
Gingival hyperplasia can occur as a direct result of inflammation. The inflammation is often caused by plaque buildup on the teeth from food, bacteria, and poor hygiene practices. The inflammation can make the gums tender and red, and it can trigger bleeding.
Do calcium channel blockers cause gingivitis?
This benign oral condition is a common side effect of the majority of CCBs. It is characterized by an increase of the gingival mass and volume, which can range from mild to extremely severe. Among calcium antagonists, nifedipine is the most frequently implicated antagonist in drug-induced gingival overgrowth.
Do calcium channel blockers cause bleeding gums?
Calcium channel blockers are considered as potential etiological agent for inducing gingival enlargement. Lafzi et al. (2006) had reported rapidly developing gingival hyperplasia in patient receiving 10 mg/day of amlodipine within 2 month of onset.
Can calcium channel blockers cause gingival hyperplasia?
Gingival hyperplasia induced by calcium channel blockers: mode of action Gingival hyperplasia is a known side effect in patients treated with diphenylhydantoin, cyclosporin and the calcium channel antagonists. The present study proposes a mechanism by which calcium channel antagonists may induce gingival hyperplasia.
Is gingival hyperplasia a side effect of long-term cardiac treatment?
Long-term treatment of common chronic cardiac conditions such as hypertension with calcium channel blockers (CCBs) has long been associated with gingival hyperplasia. This oral side effect may affect esthetics and function, yet often overlooked and therefore underreported among Nigerians.
What is gingival elephantiasis (gingival hyperplasia)?
The idiopathic hyperplasia (gingival elephantiasis). Quite common is the gingival hyperplasia as a side effect of drugs administration of calcium antagonists, because the incidence of hypertension is higher in patients aged three, and, in their treatment, drugs such as calcium channel blockers are often used.
What is the oral impact of calcium channel blockers?
Despite the popularity and wide acceptance of the calcium channel blockers (CCBs) by the medical community, their oral impact is rarely recognized or discussed.