After you’ve suffered a stroke, your dental care is frequently jeopardized. It may be harder for you to brush or floss, you might suffer from a dry mouth, and your medication might have adverse effects on your dental procedures. Our Lynnwood Dentistry advises that you take these special steps to assure that your stroke doesn’t continue to take its toll on your teeth.
First of all, you’ll want to inform your dentist of the types and dosages of any medication you’re taking. Anticoagulants are of particular concern, as they can cause excessive bleeding during dental procedures. It also helps to tell the dental staff if you have any other special needs brought on by your stroke; if you’re suffering from memory loss, have your instructions written down. If you have trouble writing, try to get your appropriate paperwork in advance.
At home, you may find that your daily brushing routine is more difficult than before. You might consider making changes to your toothbrush or floss in order to accommodate a weaker grip. Maybe you’d be better served with an electric brush, or perhaps you just need to wrap your brush handle in some additional padding. There are many ways to help assure that you can continue to maintain a clean, healthy mouth after your stroke.