Every six months at your checkup and cleaning, your dentist or dental hygienist asks you about your health history. Even though they’re there to take care of your smile, you may be surprised to know that’s not the only information that’s relevant to them. Below, you can learn more about the importance of letting your dentist know about new medical concerns that arise each year.
Why Do Dentists Ask About Your Medical History?
At each of your routine checkups and cleanings, your dental team will ask you about your medical history and whether there have been any changes to your health, including prescriptions you take. Although it may not seem relevant, filling out their questionnaire in detail or letting them know any new medical concerns that have arisen within the past six months is crucial to maintaining your oral health, too. What impacts other areas of your body, like high blood pressure and heart disease, can also impact your oral health—you may just not know it yet!
Medical Changes That Can Impact Your Dental Health
Your dental hygienist or dentist will ask you about your medical history and any changes in your medication at your checkup. This is because the following medical conditions and changes in your routine can impact your oral health:
- High Blood Pressure: Your dentist takes your blood pressure at each of your checkups because hypertension can increase your risk of gum disease and even make medications prescribed for conditions less effective.
- Diabetes & Other Autoimmune Conditions: Autoimmune diseases and conditions such as diabetes can impact your body’s ability to heal itself. This can increase your risk of dental concerns like gum disease and can even make it more difficult to manage your medical condition.
- Digestive Issues Like Acid Reflux & GERD: Digestive problems can lead to enamel erosion, which can increase your chances of developing cavities or experiencing dental sensitivity.
- Changes in Medication: Some medications can have side-effects that impact the health and appearance of your smile, such as by causing dental discoloration and sensitivity.
- Recent Surgeries: Your dentist may require you to take antibiotics before your cleaning if it has been less than a year since you had a surgical procedure to prevent infection.
These are just a few of the medical concerns that your dental team will want to hear about at your next checkup and cleaning if you’re experiencing them. By letting them know, they can take the proper steps to protect your smile.
The Benefit of Informing Your Dentist About Your Overall Health
Dental problems like gum disease have been linked to an increased risk of tooth loss as well as stroke, heart disease, and a variety of medical concerns. By informing your dentist about any changes in your overall health within the past six months, you can make sure that you’re not just looking after your smile, but the rest of your body as well. After all, it’s all connected!
About the Author
Dr. Rafiq Hirji has over a decade of experience helping patients with underlying health concerns maintain whole, healthy, and functional smiles. He takes a whole-body approach to dental care and makes sure that it’s not just their smiles he’s looking after, but their future health as well. For questions or to schedule a checkup and cleaning, visit Daily Smiles MacArthur Dental & Orthodontics’ website or call 972-546-4114.