Swollen, Overgrown Gums?Your Blood Pressure Pill Could Be Part of It
Breath & MouthArticleCalcium channel blockers such as nifedipine and amlodipine can cause the gums to thicken and grow over the teeth, a side effect called drug-induced gingival overgrowth. Existing gum inflammation raises the risk, and good cleaning helps. Here is what reviews and the amlodipine label say, and what to ask your dentist and prescriber.
If your gums have gradually become thicker, puffier or started creeping over your teeth, a common heart and blood pressure medicine may be contributing.
What it is
Drug-induced gingival overgrowth is abnormal growth of gum tissue, mostly linked to calcium channel blockers (a class of blood pressure and heart medicines) and certain transplant drugs.1 Among calcium channel blockers, nifedipine is the most commonly implicated.1 Amlodipine’s label also lists gum overgrowth (gingival hyperplasia) among reported reactions.2
Why it matters
Beyond appearance, overgrown gums can cause discomfort, pain, and trouble speaking and chewing, and may contribute to tooth loss.1
What raises the risk
- Existing gum inflammation1
- Taking more than one medicine that can cause it1
- Male sex and younger age were also listed as risk factors in the review.1
What helps
Treatment usually involves teamwork between your dentist and prescriber.1 Options include:1
- Better cleaning at home and professional cleanings, since inflammation feeds the problem
- Switching to a different blood pressure medicine when that’s appropriate
- Surgery to remove extra tissue when it doesn’t settle
Our guides to deep cleaning visits, bleeding gums, electric toothbrushes and water flossers can help with daily care.
Questions to ask
- Could my medicine be causing this? Bring your full medicine list.
- Would another blood pressure medicine work for me without this side effect?
- How often should I have cleanings while we sort it out?
Try: “My gums have gotten thick and puffy over the past year, and I take amlodipine. Could they be related, and can you talk with my doctor about options?”
Is It My Breath? includes a visit script. Use it to bring your medicine list and photos of your gums to both your dentist and your prescriber.
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dental advice. It isn't a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional who knows your health history. Please don't stop or change a blood pressure medicine without talking to your prescriber. Gum swelling with fever, pus, rapidly spreading swelling, or trouble swallowing or breathing needs urgent care. If you think you may be having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. This article discusses a drug label and published reviews. Girl Playbook does not endorse any specific product, test, or provider.
Girl Playbook sells this book. It provides education and worksheets, not individualized medical care.
Sources
The research behind this article, in the order it’s cited. How we source our articles.
- World Journal of Cardiology (full text via PubMed Central), 2021Drug-induced gingival overgrowth in cardiovascular patients (opens in a new tab)abcdefgh
- DailyMed, National Library of MedicineAmlodipine besylate tablets: prescribing information (opens in a new tab)↩
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