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Update Your Family
Health History
Keep your dentist in the loop
about your health.
When visiting your dentist, it’s
important to tell you dentist about any changes to your
health or to the medications and supplements you take.
All of these can affect the health of your mouth and the
care you receive at the dental office. Remember, your
dentist is a part of the healthcare team looking after
your well-being. Keeping him or her in the
communications loop will mean more effective care for
you.
Your physical health
There are many medical conditions
that can influence your oral health and treatment.
Diabetics may be more likely to have gum disease and
salivary gland problems that can lead to widespread
tooth decay. Smokers may develop oral fungal infections
and are at risk for oral cancer, a type of cancer that
is often deadly if not detected early.
People with lung and breathing
conditions such as asthma or emphysema may require
special consideration, even during routine dental
exams. Quick-acting asthma inhaler medicines must be
available in the dentist’s office for emergency
treatment.
The pill’s you take
You should inform your dentist
about anything you take regularly, including
prescription drugs, over the counter (OTC) drugs, herbal
medicines, vitamins and dietary supplements. The side
effects of these drugs and their interactions with the
drugs your dentist uses may be important to your oral
health. OTC drugs used to treat cold and flu symptoms
may cause a dry mouth that may lead to mouth sores and
fungal infections. Women undergoing infertility
treatment or taking birth control pills may have a
higher incidence of swelling and bleeding of the gums.
Herbal medications such as garlic, gingko and ginseng
are also of concern to the dentist. Garlic is known to
interfere with normal blood clotting and may need to be
stopped 7-10 days before any tooth extractions or other
surgical dental procedures are performed.
Allergies and side effects
Your dentist also needs to know
about any allergies you may have. These may affect, for
example, the anesthetics that are used to numb your
mouth and keep you comfortable during dental procedures,
or the antibiotics prescribed afterward. You may be
unsure if you are allergic to a certain medication or
have had side effects from it. Be sure to tell the
dentist about the symptoms you experienced after taking
the medication so that it may be determined if you are
truly allergic or have had a drug side effect.
Update the information
The information that you provide
your dentist should be as current as possible. This is
especially important as new medical conditions develop
and new drugs are prescribed for you. Always make sure
to report changes, as your children grow older, too.
These are some of the reasons why your dentist asks you
to complete a medical history, and why the information
you provide helps ensure your continuing good dental
health and that you receive the best possible care at
the dental office.
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