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Posted on 1/25/2016 by Robert Leale |
 Most people understand the importance of telling their dentist about the medications that they are taking, but many forget to report any herbal supplements that they might be using. Everything that you ingest will cause a reaction in your body, and if your dentist doesn't know what supplements you've been using, he won't know how to protect you from potentially dangerous substance interactions. While it is especially important that you let your dentist know about supplements before any type of treatment or surgical procedure, it is always a good idea to make sure that your dental office knows about what you are taking. What Are Herbal Supplements?An herbal supplement will be made out of natural chemicals that have been extracted from a plant before being refined or produced in original form. When an herbal supplement is refined, the extract is taken from the plant source, concentrated, and is then put back to make the original medication stronger. For that reason, it is especially important that you let your dentist know about any refined herbal supplements that you might be taking.Even though herbal supplements are natural, there are some combinations that can be dangerous, especially when they are taken with conventional medications. Vitamin E and gingko biloba can be dangerous when combined with aspirin, as they can cause the blood to thin. Additionally, if you are taking St. John's Wort in order to stabilize your mood, you may have interactions with anesthesia during dental or medical procedures. Why Should You Tell Your Dentist?Since your herbal supplements could interfere with other medications, it is important that you make sure that your dentist knows about any that you are consuming. If you need to be sedated and your herbal mediation could interfere, you may be asked to stop taking the medication until your treatment has been completed. Additionally, your dentist may be able to suggest a different supplement for treatment.Please contact us if you have any questions about herbal supplements and your oral health. |
 LocationNorthview Family Dental 1121 E. Westview Ct. Spokane, WA 99218-1319 HoursM, W, TH: 7am-6pm T, F: 7am-4pm |
