If you or a family member have recently received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, you most likely have many questions about treatment, how effective it will be, and what its potential side effects are. For more than 60 years, medical professionals have used lithium to treat bipolar disorder successfully. With proper management and monitoring, lithium medication can be a life-changing treatment. It's instrumental in patients with bipolar I disorder who frequently experience mania, the more severe symptom of this disorder.
However, this treatment does have some adverse effects – including lithium dental side effects. Let's go over the prevalence of bipolar disorder, its side effects, both short-term and long-term, and how best to care for your mouth while on this medication. We know that the road to diagnosing bipolar disorder probably wasn't a smooth one, but you've made it here! We're here to guide you with helpful knowledge as you begin the treatment journey.