Why should I talk about my heart health with my dentist?

Your dentist needs to know if you have any heart condition such as high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, peripheral artery disease, or congestive heart failure. Knowing if you have any of these conditions is important because you might be taking medications for them that could impact your oral health. For instance, some blood pressure medications can cause dry mouth. This may increase your risk for denatl caries, mouth infections or thrush, and could worsen periodontal disease. The high blood pressure drugs known as the calcium channel blockers also can cause an overgrowth of gum tissue. This could affect your ability to chew food. Your dentist also needs to know about any heart condition so he or she can be prepared with the equipment and medications needed to treat any chest pain you may have during a procedure.