A primary dental provider should be aware of all conditions, medications, and prior treatments of their patients, especially those for more serious problems, such as heart disease. According to The Academy of General Dentistry, "the most common cause of drug-related interactions is the doctor's lack of information about your medical history." It is important to relay all medical conditions, medical history, medications, supplements, vitamins, allergies, and any adverse reactions that result from medications or treatments.
Despite oral hygiene's positive effect on the heart, patients with heart conditions may be ineligible for certain dental procedures. Invasive dental procedures, such as periodontal treatment, may increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Some procedures boost inflammation in the body as it responds to bacteria entering the bloodstream after surgery. If the treatment is more detrimental than the condition itself and poses the risk of ineligibility, then a complete health dentist can weigh the circumstances and offer alternatives.
Among the most common medications that can prevent dental treatment is for high blood pressure. A Hindawi medical research journal states, "it is generally recommended that emergency dental procedures be avoided in patients with a blood pressure of greater than 180/110 mmHg." Due to the high prevalence of disease and medication use for hypertension, complete health dentists are aware of antihypertensive medications' oral side effects.
Complete health dentists understand the risks of dual-drug interactions of certain medical prescriptions with medications commonly used during dental visits. The term medically-compromised refers to patients with "impaired health statuses, such as pregnancy, or patients with systemic diseases like ischemic heart disease, congenital heart disease, liver disease, renal disease, asthma, patients with immunodeficiency and patients with altered immune status." Patients who do not disclose medical conditions and medications with their dentist while undergoing dental treatment may risk worsening their medical status or even result in fatality.
Many adverse reactions occur due to drug interactions between medical and dental medications, especially when providers are unaware of a patient's history or present prescriptions. Since most drug interactions are harmful or even deadly, primary care providers and complete health dentists understand which medications to prescribe when coupled with prescriptions for other medicines.
Patients must set aside their personal wishes for treatment when more serious conditions require ongoing medication that may interfere with dental procedures. A study on common dental drug interactions finds that "a thorough medical and drug history of all prescription, OTC, and herbal products must be taken and documented and reviewed at every dental visit." This prevents adverse reactions, doubling symptoms, and fatal risks from occurring and allows dentists to be proactive in finding alternative measures.
Many health conditions require medications that must be taken and pose fatal risks if a patient stops taking them. Complete health dentists have extensive background and education regarding systemic health conditions requiring medications and their adverse effects when coupled with oral medications. They can adjust dosages, prescribe alternatives, and alter dental treatments to fulfill their patient's needs.
It may be necessary to alter non-invasive dental treatments for patients with pre-existing medical conditions or patients taking certain medications. It is also possible to postpone or alter invasive treatments and surgeries if medications pose risks or interfere with a patient's medical condition. Complete health dentists can initiate, modify, and alter treatment based on medical history with the discretion of the patient's primary care provider and prescribe medications that sync with those the patient is already taking.
During the first visit, a patient's initial consultation is the perfect opportunity to begin building rapport. Ask the dentist questions about their expertise, procedures they have excelled in, and to discuss and describe your treatment plan thoroughly, giving explanations for all treatments. It is important to know your dentist and understand what they are doing, but it is also crucial to inform them of all information requested in all honesty.
A complete health dentist understands the oral-systemic link and how oral health is heavily connected to general health. Often, complete health dentists notice underlying problems that may be a result of existing systemic conditions. In the same way, they can test whether existing health conditions are affecting the patient's oral health.
In most cases, patients should not stop taking any prescribed medications without approval or guidance from their primary care provider. A complete health dentist understands the implications regarding various general health conditions and medications. They will discuss the terms with you before treatment.
Disclosing medical information in any practice is confidential and will not be used for any means other than implementing an appropriate treatment plan. The dentist will need honest and accurate medical history, previous procedures, and medications to prevent drug-on-drug interference and fatal risks.
Cosmetic dentistry is generally used to refer to any dental work that improves the appearance (though not necessarily the function) of a person’s teeth, gums and/or bite.
A dental checkup is an appointment that involves cleaning the teeth, identifying any signs of infection and removing said signs of infection at least once every six months in the office.
A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.
Diabetes refers to a group of diseases that affects how the body produces or responds to the hormone insulin and causes high blood sugar.
A drug interaction happens when two or more drugs react with each other causing unexpected side effects that can be harmful to the person taking the drugs.
Heart disease includes a wide range of cardiovascular issues such as diseased vessels, structural problems, and blood clots.
Hypertension is a condition in which the force of blood pushing against the wall of a person’s blood vessels is consistently too high.
A patient is medically compromised when they have an impaired health status such as immunodeficiency and heart disease.
Drugs or medications that can be legally sold to patients without a prescription.
Preventive dentistry is the dentistry that focuses on maintaining oral health in order to prevent the spread of plaque, the formation of tartar and infections in the mouth.
