How does being sick or in the hospital affect your teeth and gums?

Ever notice your mouth feels different after being sick or spending time in the hospital? Illness and recovery can make even brushing feel like too much, and medicines or treatments can leave your mouth dry. Plaque can also build up quickly when you need extra help caring for your teeth. Gentle daily care can protect your mouth, and a dental provider can check for any problems that stick around after you go home. 

What you will learn in this article:

• Illness can make daily mouth care harder, which may allow plaque to build up. 

• Many medicines and some medical treatments can cause dry mouth. 

• People in critical care may need help brushing and caring for their mouths. 

• Ongoing pain, dryness, bleeding, swelling or sores should be checked after you leave the hospital. 

If you or someone you care for is recovering from an illness or hospital stay, schedule an appointment with an Aspen Dental provider. Your care team can check for new concerns and help you get your oral care back on track. 

Why does being sick raise your risk for tooth and gum problems? 

When you feel weak, tired or uncomfortable, brushing and cleaning between your teeth may fall lower on the list. Plaque then has more time to build up around your teeth and gums. 

The American Dental Association notes that some health conditions can affect the mouth directly. Others can make it physically harder to keep up with daily oral care.¹ If illness changes what you can do, ask a family member, caregiver or care team member for help. A simple daily oral care routine can be adjusted to fit your needs. 

Why does a hospital stay change your mouth so fast? 

Not every hospital patient faces the same risk. People in critical care may be seriously ill, unable to brush or dependent on hospital staff for mouth care. 

One study enrolled 50 adults in a single critical-care unit. Of those patients, 36 were still available for a check after one week. The amount of living bacteria in their dental plaque rose significantly during that time. Bacteria associated with hospital-acquired pneumonia were also found in 26% of the patients who were sampled. Because this was an observational study, it did not prove that the plaque caused pneumonia.² 

The findings show why regular mouth care deserves attention when someone is critically ill or cannot brush alone. 

Why do so many medicines cause dry mouth? 

Bacteria are only part of the picture. Dry mouth can happen during illness or treatment for several reasons. Saliva helps clear food from your teeth and gums, makes swallowing easier and helps protect your teeth from decay. 

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research points out that a long list of common medications, including some for blood pressure, depression and bladder-control problems can reduce how much saliva your glands produce. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy can also thicken saliva, making your mouth feel dry. Radiation therapy can damage the salivary glands if they are exposed during cancer treatment. Without enough saliva, cavities and fungal infections become more likely.³ 

Can illness make gum disease worse? 

Dry mouth isn't the only way illness affects your gums. Diabetes is one example. High blood sugar can affect oral health, while periodontitis may make blood sugar harder to control.¹ 

If you have diabetes, tell your dental provider about any changes in your health or medicines. Regular exams can help catch bleeding, swelling or other signs of gum disease early. 

What can you or a caregiver do to protect oral health during a hospital stay? 

Ask the hospital team what kind of mouth care is safe. If you can brush, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. If you cannot do it alone, ask whether a nurse, caregiver or family member can help. 

Tell the care team if you notice mouth pain, bleeding, swelling, sores or white patches. White patches may have several causes, including oral thrush, and should be checked. 

If your mouth feels dry, ask whether a saliva substitute may be appropriate. Do not use lozenges, mouth rinses or extra fluids without approval if you have trouble swallowing, a risk of choking or fluid limits. 

What should you do for your mouth after you leave the hospital? 

Once you are home, return to brushing twice a day and cleaning between your teeth. If you still have dry mouth, ask your dental provider or doctor whether a medicine or health condition may be contributing. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without talking with the person who prescribed it. 

Consider a dental checkup after a long hospital stay, especially if you have new pain, sensitivity, bleeding, swelling, sores or dryness that does not improve. Your dental provider can examine your teeth and gums and recommend the next step. 

If illness has disrupted your routine, get in touch with your local dental provider to get your oral care back on track. 

How does being sick or in the hospital affect your teeth and gums? FAQs 

Still have questions about oral health during illness or hospital stays? These answers cover a few common concerns. 

Can a short hospital stay cause a cavity? 

A brief hospital stay is unlikely to cause a cavity on its own. However, missed brushing and ongoing dry mouth can add to your cavity risk over time. See a dental provider if you develop tooth pain or new sensitivity. 

Is dry mouth from medicine permanent? 

It depends on the medicine and your health. Dryness may improve when a temporary cause ends, but it may continue if the medicine or condition remains. Do not stop taking medicine on your own. Ask your dental provider or doctor about safe ways to manage the dryness. 

Can poor oral health during critical care affect recovery? 

Not on its own. The study didn't measure recovery outcomes or prove that plaque bacteria caused pneumonia, so it can't answer that question directly. What it does show is why care teams take oral care seriously during a critical illness.² If you or a loved one is in critical care, ask the team what mouth care is being provided. 

Should I see a dental provider right after leaving the hospital? 

Not everyone needs an immediate appointment. See a dental provider soon if you have pain, swelling, ongoing bleeding, white patches, sores, severe dryness or trouble eating. Otherwise, return to your regular dental schedule. 

Sources 

¹ American Dental Association, Library and Archives: “Oral-Systemic Health.” https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/oral-systemic-health 

² National Institutes of Health, Critical Care: “Changes in dental plaque following hospitalisation in a critical care unit: an observational study.” https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4055983/ 

³ National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research: “Dry Mouth.” https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/dry-mouth