It is necessary to maintain optimal oral health for overall well-being. Regular brushing and flossing are essential parts of maintaining oral hygiene. Visiting the dentist at regular intervals, ideally twice a year is also mandatory.
Periodontal Infection and Cardiovascular Disease
People with heart diseases have special needs when it comes to dental care. Government agencies and researchers are continually probing the connection between cardiovascular diseases and periodontal ailments. Some recent studies have revealed that the bacteria from the oral cavity slip into the main bloodstream and increase the level of c-reactive protein that can cause inflammation in the blood vessels. Such inflammation of the blood vessels can increase the risk of stroke and heart diseases. You need to follow certain tips while getting dental care and oral surgery after being suffered from heart diseases.
Visiting the Dentist After Heart Attack
It is better to consult your cardiologist before undergoing any dental treatment after you have suffered a heart attack. You should reveal to the dentist near you all your past medical history and details of medication. If you are taking anticoagulants, it is worth mentioning to the dentist as these medications can result in excessive blood loss during tooth extraction or oral surgery. It is better to ensure that your dentist has the arrangements for oxygen and nitroglycerine in case of a medical emergency during dental treatment.
Dental Care and Hypertension
Medication to treat hypertension can cause dry mouth and change your sensation to taste. Medicine to control hypertension contains calcium channel blockers that cause the gum tissues to grow and swell, resulting in difficulties while chewing. Experiencing gum overgrowth would need frequent visits to the dentist for teeth cleaning. If the gum has excess tissues, the dentist would recommend gingivectomy or surgery to remove excess gum tissues.
You should ensure that the anesthesia used for dental treatment does not contain epinephrine. Epinephrine is a common additive that is added to local anesthesia products. The use of epinephrine can raise the blood pressure level in a person suffering from hypertension and can cause considerable cardiovascular changes including heart attack, angina, and arrhythmias. You need to be cautious while getting dry mouth treatments if you suffer from cardiovascular diseases.
Chest Pain and Dental Care
Patients suffering from chest pain are treated with calcium channel blockers that in turn can increase the growth of gums. Gum surgery can be the only way out in case of gum overgrowth. Patients with a previous history of heart attack and chest pain may ensure the presence of nitroglycerine and oxygen in case of an emergency situation.
Patients with stable angina or chest pain that is predictable are free to undergo dental procedures and treatments. On the contrary, patients with new and unpredictable chest pain should not undergo elective dental treatments. Emergency dental care should be undertaken in a hospital or a clinic equipped to monitor cardiac capabilities.
Stroke and Dental Care
If you had suffered from a stroke previously, you are bound to undergo anticoagulant drugs. These medicines make your blood thin and nullify the chances of further stroke. You should intimate this fact to the dentist. Even deep cleaning can result in loss of blood from the gums.
Previous instances of stoke can inhibit the ability to produce an adequate amount of saliva in the mouth, causing dry mouth. The dentist then administers dry mouth treatment or prescribes the use of artificial saliva.
If the stroke attack has impacted your arm or the hands, the dentist would recommend modified techniques to brush and floss along with rinsing techniques so that stroke would not impact the maintenance of good oral health.
Visiting the Dentist with Cardiovascular Diseases
It is better to give the complete list of names of drugs that you are taking due to a heart ailment. The names of non-prescription drugs should also be revealed to ensure that the dentist can decide on the best treatment course for you. You can share the contact of your heart specialist with the dentist for better consultation.
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