Dental Care For People With Heart Disease

Cardiovascular diseases and periodontal issues have been known to have a relationship. Researchers have shown that the bacteria living in our mouths responsible for gum diseases can move into our bloodstream and elevate C-reactive protein (a marker that denotes inflammation of blood vessels.) When this happens, it increases our chance of stroke and heart issues.

People with cardiovascular problems need to take special care of their teeth. You must make your dentist aware of your heart disease, giving them your complete medical history and a list of all medicines you are taking and the dosages. It will enable your dentist to design a specific treatment plan for you, including selecting the right medications for dental procedures.

The Relationship Between Heart Disease and Poor Oral Health

There are several theories about why there is a relationship between cardiovascular conditions and oral health. Some of the common ones are:

• Bacteria in gums that cause gingivitis and periodontitis can travel into the bloodstream, causing inflammation of blood vessels. They can also cause other damages like heart attack, tiny blood clots, or stroke. This idea is backed by finding remains of mouth bacteria inside atherosclerotic blood vessels, which are far from the mouth.
• The body’s immune response results in inflammation which causes a cascade of vascular damage all through the body, including the brain and heart.

Which Cardiovascular Disease Requires Special Dental Considerations?

You must speak with your cardiologist before undergoing dental treatment if you have any heart condition. The list below talks about some of the conditions and the precautions you must take for each.

• Myocardial fraction (heart attack) – If you have suffered a heart attack, it is advised to wait six months before undergoing an extensive dental procedure. You could still have dental cleanings done. Check with your dentist if nitroglycerin or oxygen is available at their clinic so that appropriate measures can be taken in case a medical emergency arises.
• Endocarditis – Some people have a high risk of developing bacterial endocarditis, an infection of the heart’s inner lining. Such patients need to take special care of their oral hygiene every day. Traditionally, patients suffering from this condition are advised to take antibiotics before doing dental work. But the AHA (American Heart Association) revised this guideline and stated that only those at the highest risk of developing this disease would be required to take antibiotics before dental procedures. Your dentist could tell you whether you belong to the high-risk group. Patients who need to undergo valve surgery must have exceptional oral hygiene and consult a dentist before their surgery. Unhealthy teeth are a source of bacteria that can cause endocarditis.
• Antiplatelet and Anticoagulants medications – If you are taking any blood-thinning medicines, for instance, warfarin, then ensure you mention this to your dentist. You could encounter excessive bleeding during oral surgery procedures if you take such medications.
• Hypertension or high blood pressure – Your sense of taste might alter, or you might develop dry mouth due to some antihypertensive medicines. Calcium channel blockers cause gum tissues to overgrow and swell, causing problems with chewing. If you have gum overgrowth, your dentist recommends a detailed oral hygiene routine. You might also be required to visit your dentist frequently for dental cleanings. In rare cases, gum surgery might also be performed. Excess gum tissue can be removed by a procedure called a gingivectomy. Your dentist will use a scalpel, laser, electrosurgery unit, or diamond dental burs to remove excess gum tissue.
• Stroke – You might not produce adequate saliva due to stroke, and your dentist might suggest using artificial saliva. If your tongue, face, or dominant hand is affected due to the stroke, you might need to use fluoride gels and modify your brush and floss routine. Your dentist would give you detailed information on maintaining the best oral hygiene.
• Angina – Those who have angina are treated with calcium channel blockers, resulting in gum overgrowth. You might have to undergo gum surgery for this issue. You also want to ensure your dentist has a supply of nitroglycerin and oxygen at their clinic in case any medical emergency arises during dental surgery. Though stable angina patients can undergo many types of dental procedures, those with unstable or accelerated angina should avoid nonessential or elective dental procedures. Such patients should get their heart conditions evaluated by their cardiologist before they get these procedures done. People with accelerated angina should get dental procedures done in hospitals that have cardiac monitoring ability.

Points To Keep In Mind For Heart Disease And Dental Care

• Provide your dentist with the complete list of medications and their dosages that you are currently on for your heart condition. You must also mention any non-prescription drugs you are taking. It will help your dentist determine the best course of treatment for you and the appropriate medications to use during dental procedures.
• Give your doctor’s name and phone number to the dentist if s/he needs to talk to them about your oral care.

Your oral health and heart disease have a strong link. The medications you take for your cardiovascular condition can affect dental procedures; hence, you must inform your dentist about them.