Does Your Medical History Mean Changes to Dental Treatments?

It would be wonderful if Jamestowne South Dental could approach every dental patient in the exact same way, but the truth is that every patient is different and requires different practices and medications based on preexisting conditions. There is a very good chance that your medical history could impact your treatment, so if you’re looking for advanced dentistry in Bingham Farms to help you get proper dental care despite diabetes, epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis, and other conditions, be honest with your dental team at Perfecting Your Smile so we can make sure you get everything you need during your dental visit.

How Dentists Treat Patients with Certain Medical Conditions

The following is a look at how certain medical conditions can impact how Jamestowne South Dental treats a dental patient:

Diabetes

There is clear research showing a connection between diabetes and blood sugar levels, as more glucose in the blood over an extended period of time can put patients at higher risk for gum disease and oral infections.

If you are diabetic, please speak to Jamestowne South Dental to determine the best course of treatment. How he approaches your dental care will depend on whether your diabetes is under control, whether you take insulin (and when your last dose of insulin was administered), and whether you are taking any other medications (prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal) to keep your diabetes under control.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

There is evidence suggesting a genetic connection between rheumatoid arthritis and dental problems, and that means there is a connection between good dental health and keeping those arthritis symptoms under control.

For some patients, arthritis can make it challenging to grip a toothbrush, so Jamestowne South Dental may suggest using a larger brush with a cushy handle. If flossing is difficult, there are floss holders and floss picks that can make the process easier.

Furthermore, Jamestowne South Dental will keep an eye out for gum disease, since that’s the highest risk factor for those with rheumatoid arthritis. Knowing that patients suffer from this can help Jamestowne South Dental can watch more closely for symptoms while also helping him prescribe a treatment that arthritis patients can actually follow through with.

Epilepsy

Living with epilepsy isn’t easy, and it can present certain anxieties ahead of a forthcoming dental appointment. There are, however, some things Jamestowne South Dental suggests for epileptic patients to ensure their dental appointments go smoothly.

First and foremost, Jamestowne South Dental and his team need to know right away if the patient has a history of epileptic seizures, including any antiepileptic drugs the patient is taking and any other relevant medical history. From there, we suggest avoiding stressors for seizures the 24 hours leading up to the dental appointment, including limiting alcohol and getting a good night’s sleep.

As with all medical conditions, the more we know here at Perfecting Your Smile, the more we can customize the care to be sure every patient gets exactly what they need.

Personalized Care at Perfecting Your Smile

We want every one of our patients to feel safe and comfortable in getting the medical care they deserve. Simply let us know about your preexisting conditions, and we’ll do everything we can to work with you on a plan that ensures you’re comfortable throughout your visit. We’ve successfully treated patients with numerous conditions over the years, and we’re confident we can treat anyone as long as we’re equipped with the information we need to do so!