Your dentist needs to know about your past or current illnesses and medication use. Some general health conditions and medications can affect your oral health, and your oral health can affect some general health conditions. Dentists may ask you about your overall health, including conditions like these1Villa A da Costa J Duong M-L Frazier K Urquhart O for the Council on Scientific AffairsOral-systemic health considerations in dental settings: an American Dental Association Clinical Evaluators Panel Survey..JADA. 2022; 153: 388-389Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (1) Google Scholar:▪heart or blood conditions▪cancer▪eating disorders▪infectious diseases Dentists also ask about your overall health because some of these conditions can affect your mouth.2Lamster I.B. Lalla E. Borgnakke W.S. Taylor G.W. The relationship between oral health and diabetes mellitus.JADA. 2008; 139: 19S-24SPubMed Google Scholar For example, eating disorders can affect the gums and teeth, especially if the patient is vomiting often. The acid in vomit can wear down the hard outer layer of enamel on teeth. Some health conditions may be affected by oral health. Diabetes is a good example. Several oral diseases tend to be more common in people who have diabetes, like the following2Lamster I.B. Lalla E. Borgnakke W.S. Taylor G.W. The relationship between oral health and diabetes mellitus.JADA. 2008; 139: 19S-24SPubMed Google Scholar:▪gum disease▪dry mouth▪a fungal infection called thrush Furthermore, people with type 2 diabetes who have gum disease may have more difficulty controlling their blood sugar levels.3Graziani F. Gennai S. Solini A. Petrini M. A systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiologic observational evidence on the effect of periodontitis on diabetes: an update of the EFP-AAP review.J Clin Periodontol. 2018; 45: 167-187Crossref PubMed Scopus (161) Google Scholar Then there are conditions that occur at the same time but do not really seem to affect one another. For some conditions, it is more likely that they share the same risk factor. For example, research suggests that some people who have the heart condition atherosclerosis also tend to have gum disease. The researchers cannot say whether one condition causes the other, but they know that both conditions share risk factors. For example, smoking increases the risk of both atherosclerosis and gum disease.4Cho H.J. Shin M.S. Song Y. Park S.K. Park S.M. Kim H.D. Severe periodontal disease increases acute myocardial infarction and stroke: a 10-year retrospective follow-up study.J Dent Res. 2021; 100: 706-713Crossref PubMed Scopus (10) Google Scholar This is another reason why dentists might ask about your behaviors and habits. Many dental offices might also check your pulse, temperature, breathing rate, and blood pressure at the start of a visit to see if these vital signs are okay before treatment begins.1Villa A da Costa J Duong M-L Frazier K Urquhart O for the Council on Scientific AffairsOral-systemic health considerations in dental settings: an American Dental Association Clinical Evaluators Panel Survey..JADA. 2022; 153: 388-389Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (1) Google Scholar Medications can also affect your oral health. Let your dentist know what you are taking and what you are allergic to. Be sure to include prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs that you buy without a prescription, vitamins, and herbal remedies.4Cho H.J. Shin M.S. Song Y. Park S.K. Park S.M. Kim H.D. Severe periodontal disease increases acute myocardial infarction and stroke: a 10-year retrospective follow-up study.J Dent Res. 2021; 100: 706-713Crossref PubMed Scopus (10) Google Scholar It is estimated that more than 400 medications cause dry mouth.5Ciancio S.G. Medications’ impact on oral health.JADA. 2004; 135: 1440-1448Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (79) Google Scholar This not only can be uncomfortable, but a low saliva flow also can increase your risk of cavities. If you are taking a medication that causes dry mouth, your dentist may work with your physician to see if there is another medication you can take instead. If that is not possible, your dentist may suggest that you use an artificial saliva. Other oral effects of medications can include the following5Ciancio S.G. Medications’ impact on oral health.JADA. 2004; 135: 1440-1448Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (79) Google Scholar:▪an overgrowth or swelling of the gum tissue▪problems with bone healing after surgery▪mouth sores It is important to fill your dentist in on your general health and any medications you are taking, including those that are prescribed by your physician and those you buy off the store shelf. Sometimes your general health or medications can affect your oral health and vice versa. Providing your dentist with an up-to-date and complete health and medication history can help your dentist care for you.