Your dentist takes special measurements to ensure that your dentures will fit as best as possible.When your dentures fit properly, it is easier for you to eat, drink, and even swallow. Ill-fitting dentures can hurt the structures inside your mouth, and may also put you at a higher risk for infection. Here are three medications can lead to ill-fitting dentures and what you can do about them:

Anti-Epileptics 

Certain prescription drugs can cause your gum tissue to grow out of control. These drugs include anti-epileptic medications, and while gum overgrowth is more common in children, it can occur in older adults as well. If you have overgrown gum tissue as a result of taking anti-epileptic medications, your dentures may become too tight or too loose.

Gum overgrowth can lead to gingivitis, and if not treated promptly, may raise the risk for destruction of the bones in your mouth. Anti-epileptic drugs can also lead to oral inflammation, another factor that can affect how your dentures fit.

If you develop gum overgrowth, see your dentist as soon as possible. Also, make an appointment with your physician, who might lower your medication or even change it to a different one that is less likely to affect your gums.

Antihistamines

Allergy medications known as antihistamines help stop sneezing, a runny nose, watery eyes, and itching. While effective in treating your allergic symptoms, antihistamines can also cause your salivary glands to slow down. This means that your mouth can become extremely dry, leading to oral dehydration.

If you wear dentures, dehydration of your gum tissue can cause your dental appliances to slip out of place, which can cause friction sores and chewing problems. If you take antihistamines, make sure that you stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Avoid caffeinated beverages, however, because these can further dry out your mouth.

Hormone Preparations

Certain prescription hormones can cause your estrogen levels to drop. If you are a woman and take these types of hormones, your dentures may become too loose. Estrogen protects your bones, including the bones inside your mouth. 

Declining estrogen levels may lead to oral bone destruction so severe that you may be unable to wear your dentures at all. If this happens, your dentist will need to take new measurements of your mouth so that the dental lab can make a new set of dentures.

If you take any of the above medications, work with both your dentist and your family physician to develop an effective treatment plan to help ensure that your mouth is healthy and that your dentures fit properly.