On a Statin or SSRI? Read This Before Your Next Dental Cleaning

A patient came to see me many years ago—let’s call her Carol.  She was 58, took great care of her teeth, and had been on a statin for her cholesterol for the past five years. “Dr. B, I don’t understand,” she said, clearly frustrated. “I brush twice a day. I floss every night. I even use that fancy electric toothbrush you recommended. But my gums bleed every single time.” I looked at her chart. Then I looked at her medication list. And there it was: Atorvastatin. 40mg daily. “Carol,” I said, “when did the bleeding start?” She thought for a moment. “Maybe… six months after I st