Drugs Affect Your Dental Health --- and Your Dental Treatment

We often get asked: "Why do you need to know my medical history at the Dentist?"

You many not have considered the impact of prescription medications and even over-the-counter drugs can have on your oral health, and on the dental treatment you receive.  Informing us of your medical history is important because the medications you have taken or are currently taking can have dental health effects or potential sided effects and possible interactions with drugs that we may or may not administer.

Sometimes it is necessary to prescribe antibiotics with certain dental procedures.  But, if you are taking oral contraceptives, be sure to let our dental staff know.  Taking tetracycline or penicillin could reduce the effectiveness of an oral contraceptive.  Another important thing that we need to know is your heart history.

If you have heart disease or a special heart condition, it is critical that we know your medical status.  During dental treatment, bleeding may occur and cause bacteria from the mouth to enter the bloodstream and work its way to the heart.  To help prevent this from happening we can prescribe antibiotics for appropriate procedures, such as teeth cleaning or teeth extractions.  Likewise, let us know if you have an artificial joint.  Antibiotics are recommended for some patients with artificial joints who also have some other medical conditions.

Another aspect we look for is a very common side effect of many drugs, such as antihistamines and antidepressants - dry mouth.  Inadequate saliva flow in the mouth can contribute to cavities and gum disease.  We can help you deal with this condition.

Some other things to inform us:

·        If you have ever had an unusual reaction to any drug;

·        If you are taking any prescription or over-the-counter drugs, including vitamins;

·        If you are planning to have surgery with a general anesthetic in the near future;

·        If you have any serious medical problems;

·        If you are pregnant or breast-feeding a baby.

Thanks for reading, and next time we ask for your medical history, know that we really have your best interest in mind!

November News

Your Benefits:  Use them or lose them!

Did you know that millions of dollars are lost each year due to Dental Insurance?  Yes, it’s true, in the fine print you can see that any un-used benefits will not rollover in to the next calendar year!  This just doesn’t seem fair, considering that fact that insurance premiums continue to grow (as does the price of everything!).  We want you to be aware of this alarming fact!  So, if you have any treatment, or, even a cleaning that you have been putting off, now is the time!  Also, because of these uncertain times, we have lowered our fees to help off-set some of the rising costs out there.  Please call our office to get a new estimate and see if you can maximize your paid benefits before it’s too late.

Here is something completely off subject, but interesting!....

     The Truth about Tryptophan

We all know how Thanksgiving goes; stuff ourselves with as many

helpings of Turkey, stuffing, cranberries and casseroles only to desperately want seconds.  Then, as we lounge and watch football we inevitably find ourselves dosing off!  Everyone has an opinion as to why this happens, and, you can almost bet that someone will tell you that it is from L-Tryptophan (the chemical in turkey that causes drowsiness).  But is it true – or do we just eat so many calories that our bodies virtually go in to a food coma?  Here is what I found out; the more protein-rich a food is, (such as turkey), the more likely it is to include tryptophan. Tryptophan helps your brain produce serotonin, a chemical that makes you feel drowsy, however, the amount of this chemical found in turkey is very minimal so it is not likely to be the culprit of the mid-day snooze!  Interestingly enough, I found out that the typical Thanksgiving meal is – are you ready?!- a whopping 3000 calories and 229 grams of fat! So to think that we have seconds means that we are eating about 3-5 days worth of food in one setting!  Ok, you be the judge! And have a wonderful Thanksgiving!