Tell Your Dentist About Prescriptions Alpharetta, GA
Although prescription medications each carry their own set of side effects, many affect oral health and dental treatment. Patients who are undergoing medical treatment or have ongoing conditions requiring medication may not be open with their dentist about the prescriptions they are taking. Despite the risks of ineligibility for certain dental treatments, the dentist must be aware of medications taken to best care for the patient's oral health concerns.
Patients who build a strong rapport with their dentist increase the likelihood of proper treatment, preventative treatment, and altering medications to suit oral needs. At the same time, they are aware of the risks that medical and oral medications have when combined as well as procedures that put them at a higher risk of other complications. After discussing medical history and prescribed medications with a complete health dentist, a patient can outweigh the risks and rewards and come to a sound conclusion.
Complete health dentistry information is available at Windward Parkway Dentistry in Alpharetta and the surrounding area. We can discuss the importance of building rapport and effective communication with your primary dental provider. Call us at (770) 814-6224 to schedule a consultation appointment to go over prescriptions that may affect your dental treatment eligibility.
Conditions that Might Make You Ineligible for Certain Procedures
One of the most important reasons that patients should share their prescription list with their dentist is so they can better understand their medical history. Conditions in the mouth can affect body systems seemingly far-removed. Having background information about patients' general health is vital in implementing practices with the oral-systemic link in mind.
For example, suppose a patient confides in their dentist that they are taking medication for a heart condition. In that case, this revelation can prompt their dentist to inquire further about their cardiac status. On the other hand, suppose patients have a specific condition such as valvular heart disease, congenital heart disease, have previously had heart surgery, or a condition known as infective endocarditis. In that case, some dental procedures should not be performed or may need special advanced planning. This is why it is important for patients to keep their dentist in the loop.
“… having background information about patients’ general health is vital to appreciating the oral-systemic link.”
Medications That Limit Treatments
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.
“Due to the high prevalence of disease and medication use for hypertension, complete health dentists are aware of the oral side effects of antihypertensive medications.”
Dental Prescriptions that Would Conflict with Other Medications
After a patient's dental evaluation, their dentist may want to prescribe a medication, particularly if a patient is experiencing pain or an infection. Every drug carries a unique set of side effects and the potential to interact with other medicines. Thus, it is crucial for patients to keep their dentist informed about all medications they are taking, including supplements. This allows the dentist to screen for medication interactions.
Medicines that dentists commonly prescribe include antibiotics, antifungals, anti-inflammatories, and narcotic analgesics. During a procedure, a complete health dentist may also provide an anesthetic medication or a medication to help with anxiety, so they must know what is in a patient's system that could potentially cause harm or an undue reaction.
“Medicines that dentists commonly prescribe include antibiotics, antifungals, anti-inflammatories, and narcotic analgesics.”
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How a Dentist Can Alter Treatment Depending on a Prescription
If patients are taking a prescription medication that they think may interfere with a dental procedure or with their dental treatment otherwise, there is no reason to worry. As long as patients provide this information to their dentist, many workarounds are available to ensure that patients receive high-quality, evidence-based oral care.
Depending on the nature of the patient's prescription, their dentist may need to adjust their dose, have patients stop taking the medication for some time (in coordination with their prescribing physician), or do a blood test before they can proceed with dental care. Complete health dentists are skilled in evaluating and treating the patient as a whole, eyeing the oral-systemic link. They know how to modify treatment plans according to their personal medical profile appropriately.
“Complete health dentists are skilled in evaluating and treating the patient as a whole, eyeing the oral-systemic link.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. Which medications can prevent dental treatments?
Q. What conditions might make me ineligible for a dental procedure?
Q. What kinds of medications do dentists prescribe?
Q. What happens if I am taking a prescription that interferes with my dental care?
People Also Ask
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Frequently Asked Questions About Opening Up to Your Dentist
Q. How do dentists treat patients with heart valve conditions?
A. First, your dentist will ask questions about the nature of the heart condition, including any medications and procedural history. After reviewing this information and potentially coordinating with your medical doctor, the dentist may prescribe you an antibiotic before the procedure to lower their risk of developing a heart infection known as infective endocarditis.
Q. Will a dentist prescribe an antibiotic if I have had a joint replacement?
A. Most likely, no. According to the American Dental Association, the most current guidelines recommend against prophylactic antibiotics (antibiotics taken before a procedure) in patients who have prosthetic joint implants.
Q. What other conditions or prescriptions are important for my dentist to know about?
A. In general, your dentist should know about all of your prescription medications because even if a prescription may not seem related to their oral health, it may interact with medications used by a dentist. For example, as reviewed previously, cardiac medications, anticoagulants, and medications for osteoporosis can affect their dental treatments. Additionally, their dentist will want to know about any history of organ transplants, biological implants, or chemotherapy.
Q. Can taking or not taking my prescription medications affect my mouth?
A. Some patients are, in fact, taking medications that may be negatively impacting their mouth. At the same time, not taking prescribed medications can also affect your oral health. Do not stop taking prescription medicines on your own discretion. In most cases, a physician and dentist will tell you what medication you are being prescribed and its benefits, as well as the risks it carries. Patients who feel their oral health is being affected should communicate that with both their dentist and doctor to try and alter the medication.
Q. Are there alternative dental treatments for patients currently taking interactive medications?
A. Almost all dental treatments have alternative treatments that can be done for patients with certain medical conditions or who are taking certain medications. If the particular treatment does not have alternatives, we may alter the treatment or, when absolutely necessary, speak to the patient's doctor about altering the medication or stopping it for a short period, if possible. Since each treatment differs and has differing levels of necessity, we will discuss the available options with the patients.
Dental Terminology
Learn More Today
If you are interested in better understanding complete health dentistry and why patient-provider rapport is important, call us at 770-814-6224 to set up an appointment.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2024
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