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Dental Dictionary

Understand dental terms and concepts.

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Your dentist continuously adapts their treatment strategies to your health status. Because of this, it is extremely important to be open and honest with your dentist when you are asked questions about your past and present health and lifestyle. Things that you think may not be important can have a dramatic effect on your oral and overall health. Your dentist needs this information to ensure their recommendations have no unintended or adverse effects. Remember, the information you provide cannot be released by your dentist without your consent.

Although electronic health records have improved in recent years, dentists may not have your full health history. So even if your dentist does have access to your medical records, it is possible that they will not be complete. Take the time to prepare a full list of the medications and over-the-counter products you take. Also, list their dosages. This is especially important for medications that act on your central nervous system. If you are not sure what a medication is called or your precise dosage, show the medication to your dentist or get a complete list from your pharmacist.

Examples of things you should be sure to discuss with your dentist include:

  • Medications, supplements, vitamins, and naturopathic remedies you take.
  • Pre-existing physical or mental conditions.
  • Any allergies to medications or other substances (especially latex or metals).
  • Medical care you are undergoing or planning.
  • If you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or are nursing.
  • Your oral health habits, and if your gums bleed when brushing or flossing.
  • Anxiety you have about dental visits.
  • Your lifestyle habits (including tobacco or alcohol use, past or present addictions to any substance, or illegal drug use).

Hypocalcemia is a lower-than-average level of calcium in blood plasma. While rare, this condition has been associated with excessively high levels of fluoride.

Hypodontia is the developmental absence of some of the teeth (excluding wisdom teeth). It is the most common craniofacial malformation in humans. Hypodontia may refer to primary teeth that never develop or permanent teeth that never develop. A child may have a primary tooth but no permanent tooth beneath it. In these cases, the primary tooth root does not resorb and, if taken good care of, may remain in the mouth and functional for many years.

Hypotension (commonly known as low blood pressure) is most often seen in older adults, though it can occur in anyone. Causes range from dehydration to serious medical conditions. It can also be a symptom of an acute reaction to medications, including fluoride toxicity.

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