Maintaining optimal oral health is essential for overall well-being. Brushing and flossing on a regular basis are critical components of good oral hygiene. It is also necessary to visit the dentist on a regular basis, ideally twice a year.
Heart Disease
Cardiovascular Disease and Periodontal Infection
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When it comes to dental care, people with heart disease have unique requirements. Government agencies and researchers are constantly investigating the link between cardiovascular diseases and periodontal diseases.
- According to some recent studies, bacteria from the oral cavity enter the main bloodstream and raise the level of c-reactive protein, which can cause inflammation in the blood vessels.
- This type of blood vessel inflammation can increase the risk of stroke and heart disease.
- Following heart disease, you should follow certain guidelines when seeking dental care and oral surgery.
Visiting the Dentist Following a Heart Attack
- It is best to consult your cardiologist before beginning any dental treatment after a heart attack.
- You should disclose to the dentist near you all of your previous medical history and medication details.
- If you are taking anticoagulants, inform your dentist because these medications can cause excessive blood loss during tooth extraction or oral surgery.
- It is preferable to ensure that your dentist has plans in place for oxygen and nitroglycerine in the event of a medical emergency during dental treatment.
Dental Care and High Blood Pressure
- Medication for hypertension can cause dry mouth and alter your taste perception.
- Calcium channel blockers, which are found in hypertension medications, cause gum tissues to grow and swell, making chewing difficult.
- Gum overgrowth necessitates frequent visits to the dentist for teeth cleaning.
- If there are excess gum tissues, the dentist will recommend a gingivectomy or surgery to remove them.
- Make certain that the anesthesia used for dental treatment does not contain epinephrine.
- Epinephrine is a common ingredient in local anesthesia products.
- The use of epinephrine can raise blood pressure in a hypertensive person and cause significant cardiovascular changes such as heart attack, angina, and arrhythmias.
- If you have cardiovascular disease, you should exercise caution when receiving dry mouth treatments.
Dental Care and Chest Pain
- Patients suffering from chest pain are given calcium channel blockers, which can cause gum growth.
- In the case of gum overgrowth, gum surgery may be the only option.
- Patients who have had a previous heart attack or chest pain should have nitroglycerine and oxygen on hand in case of an emergency.
- Patients with stable angina or predictable chest pain can have dental procedures and treatments.
- Patients with new and unpredictable chest pain, on the other hand, should avoid elective dental treatments.
- Emergency dental care should be provided in a hospital or clinic that has cardiac monitoring capabilities.
Dental Care and Stroke
- If you have had a previous stroke, you will have to take anticoagulant drugs.
- These medications thin your blood and reduce your chances of having another stroke. You should inform the dentist of this.
- Even thorough cleaning can result in blood loss from the gums.
- Previous strokes can impair the ability to produce an adequate amount of saliva in the mouth, resulting in dry mouth.
- The dentist then prescribes dry mouth treatment or the use of artificial saliva.
- If the stroke attack has affected your arm or hands, the dentist will recommend modified brushing and flossing techniques, as well as rinsing techniques, to ensure that the stroke does not interfere with the maintenance of good oral health.
Cardiovascular Diseases and Dental Visits
- It is preferable to provide the full list of drug names that you are taking due to a heart condition.
- Non-prescription drug names should also be revealed so that the dentist can determine the best treatment plan for you.
- You can provide the dentist with the contact information for your heart specialist for a more thorough consultation.
You can schedule an appointment with Partha Dental to receive complete dental care for your entire family.
