Staying up on your dental care becomes even more critical as we age.

  Not only have our teeth and gums borne the impact of decades of wear and tear but as you age the likelihood of requiring a medical procedure increases. But before treatment can begin there are a number of medical treatments and procedures that require a medical clearance from your dentist. When a dentist performs a medical clearance exam they are looking to identify any dental issues that may cause post-operative infections or compromise the results of medical treatment. These exams should include an evaluation with current dental x-rays showing the entire tooth from top to bottom, a gum disease assessment and an oral soft tissue examination. Some of the more common procedures that should receive a medical clearance from your dentist include heart surgery, a bone marrow transplant, an organ transplant, as well as any joint replacement.

Why is a medical clearance from my dentist needed before surgery?

At its most fundamental, a medical clearance from your dentist is done to check for and eliminate any present or potential sources of infection. These sources of infection can enter the bloodstream and travel to the surgery site causing post operative complications. For example, if you require a heart valve replacement surgery and have untreated dental abscesses or periodontal disease you could potentially suffer from infective endocarditis, which can be potentially life threatening.

Some medications require a medical clearance from your dentist.

It is also important to seek dental clearance prior to being placed on some medications used to treat cancer pain and osteoporosis. These medications generally known as bisphosphonates and monoclonal antibodies (Boniva, Fosamax, Zometa, Prolia, Xgeva etc.) may pose risks for future dental treatments like extractions or periodontal surgery. It is ideal to have these dental procedures performed before beginning a regimen of either bisphosphonates or monoclonal antibodies.

Why keeping up with you dental care is important.

When facing a serious medical diagnosis starting treatment as soon as possible is critical to the success of the treatment. Unfortunately this time limitation can also limit your options to save any teeth that may be infected. Many times when the medical diagnosis is urgent, patients who are in poor dental health often have limited options and have little choice but to have any infected teeth extracted. Additionally poor oral health can cause significant treatment delays lasting weeks or months. Maintaining good oral health helps to ensure that any medical treatment is not further delayed.   To your health, Dr. Josh