Your Heart Needs Your Dentist

05/19/08 Disease Basics

According to the Mayo Clinic, your eyes may be the window to your soul, but “your mouth is a window to your body’s health.” Brushing, flossing, and yearly visits to the dentist are important for all of us. Good dental hygiene keeps harmful bacteria under control and prevents gum disease and infection. If you have heart disease good dental care habits are even more important.

Gum disease and sometimes invasive dental treatments can allow bacteria to enter your blood stream. Once there, the bacteria can attack weakened areas of your body such as heart valves and muscle. Let your dentist know if you have any gum tenderness or bleeding. Don’t let cracked crowns or fillings linger and make regular checkups a part of your routine.

Explain your heart disease or stroke history before scheduling exams or procedures and discuss whether you should take an antibiotic before your appointment. Doctors recommend waiting at least six months after a heart attack before undergoing any dental treatments.

The American Heart Association recommends dentists take special precautions when treating patients who have:

• Artificial valves
• A previous bacterial infection of the heart (endocarditis)
• Unrepaired congenital heart defects
• A heart transplant.

Give your dentist a complete list of your medications and pay special attention if you take:

• Blood Thinners: You may need to stop taking your anticoagulant medication before an exam or treatment to prevent excessive bleeding.
• Nitroglycerin: Be sure your dentist knows how to use the medication and where you keep it.
• Blood Pressure Medications: Some medications can dry your mouth and reduce the effectiveness of your saliva to prevent mouth infections. Other blood pressure medications may cause your gums to swell and be tender. Talk with your dentist about how to manage these side effects.
• Diuretics: “Water pills” used to eliminate excess fluid from the body, but can also reduce saliva production and limit your body’s ability to fight mouth infections. Discuss with your dentist the time of day you take your medication and schedule your appointment at a time when you will not need to visit the restroom frequently.

Your dentist is an important part of your heart health team.

Don't have a dentist?  Here are some tips for finding a good one.

• Call the local dental society for recommendations.
• When you call for an appointment, determine whether the office understands your needs, medications, and the precautions necessary to protect your heart.
• How does the office handle emergencies? Do they have oxygen and nitroglycerine on hand?
• Anxiety can bring on heart symptoms. What options are available to make you comfortable during exams and treatments? Does the office offer distractions (TV or music) guided imagery, or other pain and anxiety reducing options?

If you have anxiety about seeing the dentist, check out www.dentalfear.com for some great information.

For more Healthy Lifestyle Tips for Busy People visit Eliz’s blog at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com.

Eliz Greene survived a heart attack at age thirty-five while seven-months pregnant with twins. She is a heart health educator, freelance writer, and speaker on a mission to help busy people lead healthier lives.