3 Reasons Why Dentists Need to Know Every Medication You Are Taking
As trusted healthcare professionals, dentists play a vital role in ensuring overall well-being. Understanding every medication a patient is taking is essential for providing safe and effective dental care. In this article, we’ll explore three key reasons why dentists need to know every medication you are taking. From potential drug interactions to underlying health conditions, this knowledge enables dentists to tailor treatments and minimize risks for optimal oral health outcomes.
1.Your oral health can be affected by your medications.
In order to take the best possible care of your oral health, your dentist must know what medications you take. All medications, even over-the-counter medications, have possible side effects. One common side effect of several medications is dry mouth, which is not only aggravating, but can lead to other dental problems such decay, difficulty chewing/talking/swallowing, and even increases the chances of fungal infections. Other effects of medications can include things like gum tissue overgrowth, bone density problems, and delayed healing. All of these are important considerations when treating your teeth and gums.
2.Your medications affect what medications we can give you.
Dentists use medication during dental treatment every day. Additionally, it is common for dentists to prescribe medications to help treat dental issues such as infections, pain, and TMJ. Certain medication combinations can impact efficiency or can create a complication. To keep patients safe, it is imperative to know the exact name and dosage of every medication a patient is taking.
3.Your medications help us understand your overall health, which we need to best help you.
Your oral health is directly linked to your systemic health. What this means is that the health of the rest of your body can affect your oral health, and your oral health can impact your overall health. Every day, more and more studies prove this connection.
For example, gum disease has been linked to diabetes, heart disease, respiratory problems, and Alzheimer’s. As bacteria grow in the mouth, they can enter the bloodstream, affecting several body areas.
To make the best treatment plan for patients, dentists need to know the exact state of their health, including what medications they take. This is particularly important when dental surgery is needed.
Additionally, many diseases have signs or symptoms that show up in the mouth. If you are taking medication for one of these diseases, the health of your mouth can be a good indication of whether the medicine is working properly.
If you need any help regarding your dental problem, you can contact our professional dentist in Henderson, NV.
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