Why does my dental hygienist require an updated list of my medications at each appointment?

It is important for us to know what medications you are taking in order to provide safe and thorough treatment. It will help us to determine if there are any treatment contraindications, medical consultation requirements, or special considerations for your care. For example, many medications can cause dry mouth (xerostomia), which can lead to dental problems. Fortunately, there are treatments and products that we can recommend to you to prevent these problems.

Dental health and overall health are strongly linked. Much research has been done into this systemic link. Inflammation in one part of the body, such as the gums, results in the products of that inflammation traveling through the body to affect other systems and organs. This is known as an inflammatory cascade. Therefore, keeping our teeth and gums healthy is important to being healthy.

At dental visits we also look for dental signs of health concerns, such as acid reflux, vitamin deficiencies, sleep apnea, to name a few.

Generally age 2 ½ to 3 is a perfect age for the first visit.  If there are any concerns, such as accidents or problems eating or nursing, they should be seen earlier.  Our primary goal is for your child to have a positive first experience, and to set the stage for them to have healthy teeth for life.

Grinding of the teeth, or bruxism, and clenching are known as parafunctional habits.  These habits are quite common and are harmful to the teeth and jaw joints. They can lead to cracked and broken teeth. This can lead to tooth loss. Parafunctional habits can also lead to jaw pain and headaches.  Fortunately, a custom mouth guard can be made to protect the teeth.