OBJECTIVES. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of tricyclic antidepressants on oral health. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A questionnaire including information about oral hygiene and diet was filled in by every subject; moreover a periodontal examination and a salivary test were performed on 30 patients receiving chronic antidepressant therapy with tricyclics (test group) and on 30 healthy patients (control group). t-test and Chi-square test were used in order to evaluate statistical differences between the groups and the significant rate was set at p 0.05). The test group showed a higher xerostomia and a reduced gum brushing duration and technique (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS. The different periodontal status found in subjects taking tricyclics may be due to oral hygiene behavior and partly to the antimuscarinic effect of these drugs with consequent xerostomia
