For some people, some of the questions asked by dentists seem like invasion of their privacy. For instance, when asked about their medical history, some patients may be unwilling to provide information, or provide partial information. The patient wonders how their blood pressure or diabetes is related to their teeth problems. There are several reasons why your family dentist asks for such information.
Diseases as Risk Factors
Research indicates that some diseases or health conditions can have an impact on your teeth. For instance, diabetes can increase your risk of gum disease.
For patients who have had knee or hip replacement, they are advised to undergo antibiotic prophylaxis before getting any dental treatment. This precaution is taken to prevent bacteria from entering your blood and putting the new joint at risk of failure.
Studies have also shown that people with gum disease are more likely to have heart disease, compared to those with healthy gums. The research findings suggest that gum disease may contribute to heart disease. The link is explained by the entry of bacteria from infected gums into the bloodstream.
Medication as Risk Factors
When you visit your family dentist for the first time, you are provided with a sheet where you fill information about your hearth health, recent surgeries, allergies, pacemakers, and pregnancy. In addition, you provide information about any current medication that you are taking or going through – including supplements and prescriptions. Some medications increase risks of cavities
Simple procedures such as removal of a tooth can turn out to be complicated if a patient did not provide related and crucial information. In such instances of teeth removal, a patient who has been taking blood thinners and did not inform his or her dentist about the medication will make the procedure become complicated. Oral extractions and blood thinning medication do not mix. Patients must come off their medication in preparation for tooth removal. The patient can revert to the medication after lapse of a certain period as prescribed by their dentist.
Your current medication might be the cause of your teeth problem. If you choose to skip such vital information, you are misleading your dentist into identifying the real cause of your teeth problem. Some drugs or medications can cause teeth or jaw problems. For examples, if you are taking drugs to treat osteoporosis, you need to inform your family dentist – these drugs can occasionally cause jaw problem following tooth extraction or tooth loss.
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