Why Does the Dentist Have to Know Certain Things?

The implication of dental treatment can be many-fold on your health. Also, the outcome of dental care is dependent on the overall medical condition. It is always wise to inform the dental care provider about the diseases you have been diagnosed with and the medications you are on. They can give you advice as to what you can do to avoid risks of adverse effects during and after dental procedures. The dentists can also work with your primary care physicians to chalk out the course of action, when appropriate.

1. If you have Diabetes or Hypertension :

a) Uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus is associated with periodontal problem. You are prone to getting infections after major procedures like extractions and periodontal surgery because of the immunosuppressive nature of the disease. It also contributes to xerostomia and polydypsia (increase in thirst). You can lose consciousness if you do not eat properly before a dental visit due to a decrease in the blood glucose level.

b) Uncontrolled hypertension results in excessive bleeding. It can also pose the risk of stroke after extractions or any other form of surgeries. Anti-hypertensive medications can cause xerostomia and gingival hyperplasia. Xerostomia increases the risk of dental decay.

2. If you smoke or drink :

a) Smoking can cause severe periodontal problem and oral cancer. When you smoke:

(i) the blood vessels supplying the tissues stay constricted for up to an hour even after you are done smoking (because of the harmful chemicals and the heat). As a result, over a period of time the tissue breaks down causing bone loss and periodontal disease.

(ii) It is also responsible for delayed or poor healing after extractions and any other surgical procedures in the mouth

Note : Smokeless tobacco use is closely associated with oral cancer.

b) Drinking: if done excessively will cause liver damage. The dentist has to know if that is the case because :

(i) Damaged liver will produce less amount of clotting factors (chemicals).That will lead to ineffective blood clotting causing excessive hemorrhage.

(ii) Damaged liver will not metabolize the anesthetic well.

(iii) Also some medications that are prescribed are metabolized mainly by the liver. You don't want to put too much pressure on a liver that is already damaged.

(iv) Drinking also leads to oral cancer.

3. About your family :

a) Some medical conditions run in the family. For example: Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Lupus, Sjogren's Syndrome, Mikulicz Disease, many forms of cancers of the head and neck region. History of heart murmur can also be a familial thing. Usually, that condition requires antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent the development of life threatening bacterial endocarditis (infection of the inner layer of the heart). It gets easier to make the diagnosis if you are aware of its existence in the family and inform the health care professional beforehand.

b) Dentists can help in making the initial diagnosis and refer you to the specialists as needed. Periodontal disease, having the same peg lateral incisors and congenitally missing teeth are some sorts of dental conditions that can also run in the family.