The dentist can prescribe taking dental medications to fight certain oral diseases or to prevent infections after surgical procedures such as tooth extractions and gum surgery. Sometimes certain drugs are given prior and some after the dental procedure.
Prior prescribing a medication, the dentist must ask a patient if he/she is:
- Taking other medications, supplements, vitamins, herbal products, over-the-counter products, eye drops, or prescription skin lotions
- Allergic to any medications and having problems when taking any medications
- Pregnant or thinking that they might be pregnant
- Having any health-related problems or medical conditions, especially one which affect body's major organs (the kidneys, lungs, heart or liver)
Patient can ask the dentist about medication:
- Why does he/she must take it?
- How long will he/she take it?
- How often should he/she take it?
- Should he/she take it on an empty stomach or with meals?
- Where should he/she store the medication?
- What should he/she do if he/she forgets to take a dose?
- Are there any side effects and will the medication interfere with driving, working or other activities?
- Does the medication interact with any foods, alcohol or other beverages, or other medications, vitamins, supplements, over-the-counter products, herbal products, or eye drops?
The patient must keep the list of all medications they are taking and their dosages with him/her, take the medications exactly as prescribed and should not stop taking them until the dentist tells him/her.
The patient must contact the dentist immediately if he/she experiences any unusual side effects after taking medication.