Medical disorders relating to dentistry Flashcards
Why could a patient with heart conditions affect dental treatment?
The stress/anxiety of dental treatment could cause an already malfunctioning heart to stop coping, potentially leading to a medical emergency
What is myocarditis?
Inflammation of heart muscles, usually following a viral infection
What is Valvular disease?
Inadequate function of any of the 4 heart valves
What is Angina?
Reduced blood flow due to a partial obstruction/clot
What is a stroke?
Full obstruction of a cerebral artery
What is a cerebral artery?
A brain artery
What is a pulmonary embolism?
Full obstruction of a pulmonary artery
What does a pulmonary artery supply?
The lungs with deoxygenated blood to be reoxygenated
Why are blood disorders relevant to dentistry?
A blood disorder usually means the body is receiving insufficient amounts of oxygen, this could pose a risk for treatment under sedation or general anaesthetic
What is anaemia?
A blood condition meaning the erythrocytes are carrying insufficient amounts of oxygen
What are the causes of anaemia?
Iron deficiency, insufficient production of red blood cells (erythrocytes)
What is a haemorrhage?
Excessive bleeding
Why might a patient haemorrhage?
If taking anti-coagulants and precautions haven’t been taken prior to extraction
What precautions can be taken for a patient due to have an extraction but is taking warfarin?
The patient should have an INR test on the day of treatment and only go ahead with treatment if the score is between 2-4
What precautions can be taken for a patient due to have an extraction but is taking apixaban?
The patients doctor must deem it safe for the patient to stop taking the medication 3 days prior to extraction
If a patient is taking apixaban, but their doctor feels it is unsafe for the patient to stop taking it for 3 days to have an extraction, what option does the patient have?
Referral to the hospital for extraction under LA, sedation or GA
What is bronchial asthma?
Breathing difficulties
Why is bronchial asthma relevant to dentistry?
Stressful situations can cause anxiety which increases the risk of an asthma attack
What medications will make bronchial asthma worse?
NSAID’s
What does NSAID’s stand for?
Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs
What is an example of NSAID’s?
Aspirin and ibuprofen
Which two medical emergencies are not respiratory disorders but do restrict or block the airways?
Choking or anaphylaxis
Which are the two types of bronchitis?
Acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis
What is acute bronchitis?
Inflammation of the bronchi
What is the bronchi?
The main airways to the lungs
How is acute bronchitis caused?
Usually follows a respiratory infection
Why is acute bronchitis less relevant to dentistry then chronic bronchitis?
Acute bronchitis is short lived but usually leaves people bed-bound
What is chronic bronchitis?
Increasingly narrow airways
What are the probable causes of chronic bronchitis?
Smoking or occupants of a heavily industrialised area
What is a big give away symptom of chronic bronchitis?
Coughing up lots of sputum
What does sputum mean?
Phlegm
Why is bronchitis relevant to dentistry?
Patients who suffer from bronchitis are prone to chest infections so shouldn’t be treated under sedation unless in a hospital and general anaesthetic should be the last resort.
What is emphysema ?
A condition which affects external respiration?
What is external respiration?
Where with every breath the carbon dioxide is breathed out and more oxygen breathed in
What does COPD stand for?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
What is COPD?
The combination of bronchitis and emphysema together
What is dysphagia?
Difficulty swallowing
Possible causes of dysphagia are:
Xerostomia
Mucosal damage from acid reflux
Poor muscular control when swallowing
Oesophageal tightening from acid reflux scars
Poor nervous control swallowing from stroke
Why is dysphagia relevant to dentistry?
It could lead to malnourishment leaving the patient prone to infection and poor wound healing
What is gastro-oesophageal reflux?
Acid reflux
What digestive system disorder could occur after a large meal?
gastro-oesophageal reflux (acid reflux)
What digestive system disorder could occur from eating just before lying down or bending?
gastro-oesophageal reflux (acid reflux)
What digestive system disorder could occur in the final stages of pregnany?
gastro-oesophageal reflux (acid reflux)
The pain from gastro-oesophageal reflux (acid reflux) is described as:
heart burn/indigestion
What digestive system disorder does the following describe:
Part of the stomach is forced through the diaphragm and is stuck in the thoracic cavity.
Hiatus hernia
What can a hiatus hernia cause?
Acid reflux
What does a hiatus hernia affect?
The emptying of the stomach
Why is a hiatus hernia relevant to dentistry?
Acid reflux can cause acid erosion over time.
Digestive problems means the body cannot remove toxins from drugs such as LA as quickly as usual
Why is gastro-oesophageal reflux (acid reflux relevant to dentistry?
It can cause acid erosion of the teeth over time.
Why is bulimia a relevant medical disorder to dentistry?
The frequent vomiting will cause acid erosion of the teeth
What are the first signs of bulimia when looking at a patient’s teeth?
Acid erosion starting with the palatal surfaces of the anterior teeth
What does Chron’s disease affect?
The gastro-intestinal tract (GIT)
How does Chron’s disease affect the body?
The walls of the GIT thicken and eventually cannot absorb any nutrients
Why is Chron’s disease relevant to dentistry?
It can cause malnourishment leaving patient’s prone to infection and poor wound healing.
Why are gastric ulcers relevant to dentistry?
Because syptoms include vomiting which can cause acid erosion over time.
