Heading to the dentist’s office with a heart-related issue? It’s important to tell your dentist about it! Your mouth and heart are linked in more ways than you might expect—and failing to inform him or her about your cardiovascular problems could spell serious trouble. For your health and safety, be sure to let your dentist know if any of the below heart conditions apply to you.
1. Born or developed heart ailments
Any heart ailment—whether past or present—should be discussed with your dentist. Many heart conditions, especially those involving the valves, come with a higher risk for a heart infection, or endocarditis. To prevent harmful oral bacteria from entering the bloodstream, your dentist may find it necessary to place you on antibiotics prior to treatment. …show more content…
Use of a Pacemaker
Dental work should be avoided for a few weeks after implantation of a pacemaker. Afterwards, treatment can proceed, but it is critical to check with the doctor and even the pacemaker manufacturer for any potential electromagnetic interference that could be caused by common dental devices.
8. Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
In minor cases, CHF patients may experience dry mouth due to their heart medications, and your dentist may prescribe an oral rinse and suggest certain habit modifications to combat the problem. In severe cases, CHF patients may experience serious complications if seated in a reclined position. Depending on the severity of the condition, it may be necessary for dental work to be completed in a hospital setting.
9. Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
No oral health effects are linked with CABG, and antibiotics are usually not necessary before dental work is conducted, but severe pain due to this surgery may be experienced when seated in a reclined position. If it is not an emergency, it is best to wait for six months before proceeding with any serious dental treatment.
Preventative Care Is