What Does My Dentist Need to Know About My General Health?

Many people don't always associate dental health with their overall health, but they go hand in hand. The mouth is the entrance to all your organs and your whole body. An unhealthy mouth can lead to bad overall health and vice versa. At the same time, there are factors of your general health that can affect the actions of your dental health care providers.

There are many things that your dentist needs to know about your overall health, but some of the most important are: what drugs are you taking, what are the side effects of those drugs, and do you have artificial joints. All of these questions may seem unnecessary or unrelated to your dental health, but they are actually really essential!

What Prescriptions and Drugs are You Taking and Why?

There are many cases where certain drugs can react differently when mixed with other drugs. This is why it is important for you and your dentist to understand which drugs you are on and why so that we do not negate the drug you are taking.

It does happen that some patients do not know what drugs they are on. In this case, we will contact your physicians to make sure that we do not put you in jeopardy.

For example, if you were on a bisphosphonate, a drug used to treat osteoporosis and similar diseases, and you had any form of dental surgery, it could result in major complications including osteonecrosis of the jaw. This is an extreme case, but it is always better to be safe.

What are the Common Side Effects of These Drugs?

Some drugs can cause side effects which can impact your dental health. One of the most common side effects of many drugs is dry mouth. A lack of saliva is bad for your dental health because your saliva help prevents decay in your teeth. Therefore, a lack of saliva leads to an increased chance of tooth decay.

Do You Have Artificial Joints?

Oftentimes, artificial joint patients are put on antibiotics to reduce their chance of infection in any dental surgery. However, if your dentist does not know that you have an artificial joint then you are at risk for infection.

Overall, it is important to be aware of your overall health and share it with your dentist. Be sure to talk with your other doctors and your dentist before any surgery and make sure you know what kind of drugs you are taking, why you are taking them and how they can impact your dental health.

If you have any questions about how the drugs you are taking can affect your dental health, contact us at Coshocton Dentistry today! We can help you book an appointment and share more information about how your general health is associated with your dental health.