Why the Medical History is so Important to the Dentist

Have you ever wondered why a visit to the dentist begins with a medical history form? It may seem very trivial to you, but this information needs to be accurate for your own sake.

If you have recently been to a dentist, or plan to make an appointment, take a look at why the medical history is so important to the Dentist.

1.    The Connection between Oral Health and General Well-being

The medical science today is placing unprecedented reliance upon the interconnectedness of the health of the oral cavity with the overall health of the body. It is believed that the oral health provides a window into the general health of your body and a lot can be gauged by this medical questionnaire about your medical history.

2.    Oral Health and Diabetes

People who are struggling with diabetes are more susceptible to periodontal diseases. This is especially true for those patients who find it very difficult to control their blood sugar.  Periodontal diseases is the infection developed in the gums and the small configuration of bones that fix the teeth in their positions.

Also, for diabetic patients, the time taken by the gums to heal after an extraction is more than other non-diabetic patients. They are also at a higher risk of wound infection.

Therefore it is very important for your dentist to know your history of diabetes, so that he can prescribe adequate medication to cater to your special condition.

3.    Replacement of Knee And Hip

It may seem initially absurd, but whether or not if you have a joint replacement in your medical history can have an important bearing on the treatment by your dentist. As a general practice, patients who have a history of joint replacement have to first undergo a cycle of antibiotic prophylaxis before the dental treatment begins.

The relevance of this treatment is that it helps to eliminate any oral bacteria from entering the blood stream, so that it does not adversely affect the new joint. So it is imperative that you give your dentist full information about any such surgery that you may have undergone in your medical history.

4.    Heart Issues

Similar to what we discussed above for patients with diabetes, heart patients also tend to be more susceptible towards periodontal diseases. In some studies, it has been suggested that this periodontal disease-causing bacteria has the potential to play an active part in making the heart disease worse.

The nexus they draw is that these bacteria may enter the bloodstream and get the cycle started for the unnecessary formation of blood clots. These clots, which happen because of the periodontal bacteria, interfere with the amount of blood that should be reaching to the heart. This, in turn, causes the blood pressure of the patient to rise, thereby putting the patient at a larger risk of a heart attack.

Thus with the help of these few examples, it can be seen that it is very important for your dentist to know your medical history. Apart from these instances, there could be allergies and other complications that could arise if you do not communicate well about your medical history.