Your Medical History and What Your Dentist Should Know

The initial moments of a first visit to a new dental office are essentially the same for everyone. We are greeted by the receptionist before being asked to fill out a medical history form. If you’re like me, your first impulse may be to gloss over it and only mark things that you outright remember, with little effort expended towards treating the inquiry with the seriousness it deserves. What many do not realize is that the consequences for such behavior could be extremely detrimental in the long run. This is because your medical history directly impacts the quality of care and treatments you are able to receive at the dentist’s office. Why? Because oral health and bodily health share a direct relationship.

Medical conditions, Lifestyle tendencies, and Medications

The studies mentioned above show a direct correlation between oral and bodily health. This means that the overall condition of the oral cavity can provide a comprehensive snapshot of what is going on inside the rest of the body. For this reason, you should inform your dentist of each of your existing medical conditions, lifestyle tendencies, medications, and any specific treatments you may have undergone that are impacting you in the present moment. Concerning medications, make sure to divulge everything to your dentist, as you never know what concoctions could produce undesirable side-effects. For example, taking biphosphonates for osteoporosis and undergoing a tooth extraction will lead to problems with the jaw.

Other Areas of Consideration

Be sure to inform your dentist if any of the following applies to you. Let them know if you are pregnant, this way they can advise against performing specific procedures until after the baby is born. Let them know if you are on blood pressure medication, as many of these drugs can have various oral side effects, including dry mouth. Inform them as to whether or not you drink alcohol on a regular basis as doing so puts you at an increased risk for developing various forms of oral cancer. Additionally, make sure they are aware whether or not you have allergies, and whether or not you smoke or use tobacco products.

Tell Your Dentist if You are Diabetic

Diabetics have a much higher risk of developing periodontal disease. This is an unfortunate infection that permeates the gums and leads to excessive bone damage. For this reason, it is essential that you inform your dentist of your condition so they can propose the best possible course of action.