With a little preparation, you can make sure that you get much more from your next trip to the dentist. Your local dentist doesn't just check on the health of your teeth, they can also offer many other treatments. This website is designed to bring up the best info possible about the range of treatments a dental professional can offer you. We will be looking at dentures, tartar removal, tooth replacement and much more. While no one who contributes to this site is a trained dentist, everyone is extremely interested in researching and writing about this topic. Thank you for checking out this site.
As a matter of policy, some dental offices will take your blood pressure at the commencement of your appointment. Although high blood pressure won't have a direct effect on the state of your teeth, it can complicate some forms of treatment. But why does your blood pressure potentially change the way your dentist works on your teeth?
Basic Dental Procedures
There are numerous dental treatments where your blood pressure will not be an issue in the slightest. These are the basic procedures, like a general inspection, tooth scaling, and polishing. Even simple restoration work, such as filling a cavity, will not be a concern. It's when you might need a more invasive form of treatment requiring anaesthetic that your blood pressure can pose a problem. But why is this so?
Issues with Anaesthetic
It's theoretically possible for any form of anaesthetic to have an adverse effect on an already problematic blood pressure level. This is even the case with a local anaesthetic, commonly utilised in dentistry. Your dentist must exercise extreme caution when administering an anaesthetic to a patient with excessively high blood pressure. This is especially true when the anaesthetic's active ingredient is epinephrine.
Beta Blockers and Anaesthetic Interaction
Although highly effective, epinephrine constricts blood vessels, and this can cause your blood pressure level climb even higher. When you are on prescribed beta-blockers for your blood pressure, a negative reaction becomes even more likely. In extreme cases, it can trigger a cardiac episode, or even a cerebral hemorrhage, although such a reaction is rare. As you can see, it's crucial for you to tell your dentist precisely which medications you're on for your blood pressure.
Working Around the Issue
If your blood pressure poses an obstacle for your dental treatment, your dentist will need to work around the issue. It can simply be that an alternative form of anaesthetic will be used, if possible. It can also be the case that your dentist will defer treatment, referring you back to your doctor so that your blood pressure can be brought down to a manageable level — manageable in the sense that it means your dental treatment can safely proceed.
It's important to inform your dentist about your high blood pressure, although they might already have taken your blood pressure once you arrive at their office. High blood pressure won't prevent you from receiving your dental treatment, but with some patients, a delay can be necessary.
Share25 August 2020
