Community Magazine November 2012

There are many types of surgery that we do in dentistry. A wisdom tooth may need to be extracted, a fractured or infected tooth may need to be replaced with an implant, and although today we are able to do non-surgical treatment for gum disease, there are still times when gum surgery may be needed. Although these treatments are routinely done in your dentist’s chair, they are nevertheless surgical procedures. That’s why it’s so important to let your dentist know if you are taking or are planning to take any herbal remedies. Patients undergoing surgery use herbal remedies more frequently than the general population, and statistics from 2002 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Alternative Medicine Supplement show that 70 percent of herbal users did not disclose the use of herbal remedies to their doctors. Withholding this information could be dangerous, as some supplements or herbs can cause complications during or after surgery. The American Medical Association has identified eight commonly used herbal remedies as potentially harmful for patients undergoing surgery: Echinacea, Ginkgo-biloba, garlic, ephedra, ginseng, kava-kava, St. John’s wort, and valerian. Here, we will focus on three of the most common herbal remedies and their potentially harmful effects when taken before or after surgery. Just because a product is “natural” or “herbal,” doesn’t mean it’s safe for everyone under every circumstance. Always talk to your doctor or dentist about herbs, supplements or vitamins that you are taking, especially if a surgical procedure may be on the horizon. For more information about the risks associated with herbal remedies, contact our office. JACQUES DOUECK, DDS Herbal Remedies and Your Dentist Garlic (15% of herbal users) With a history of use that dates to the beginning of recorded history, garlic has long been used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Benefits: Used for the treatment of hypertension and as an “antibiotic.” It has been reported to lower blood levels of fat and cholesterol, and it may lower blood glucose. Risks: Garlic is a more potent blocker of platelet activity than aspirin. This blockage results in prolonged bleeding. These risks are compounded when garlic is used with other herbs or medicines that also interfere with blood clotting. What to do: Discontinue the use of garlic at least seven days prior to surgery. Be aware of the compound effects of garlic with other medications. Echinacea (33% of herbal users) These flowering plants belong to the daisy family and are commonly called purple coneflowers. Benefits : Prevention and treatment of common cold and flu viral, fungal and bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract. In short term use, it stimulates the immune system to fight infection more effectively. Risks: Use for more than eight weeks poses the risk of suppressing the effectiveness of your immune system. What to do: Discontinue taking Echinacea as far in advance as possible before surgery. Ginkgo Biloba (18% of herbal users) The trees from which this herb is derived has small, fan-shaped leaves and can be found on East 5th Street in Brooklyn, NY (behind Shaare Zion), and all along Norwood Avenue in Deal, NJ. Benefits: Treatment of vascular disorders, Alzheimer’s, tinnitus (chronic ringing in the ears), and vertigo (dizziness). Risks: Ginkgo-biloba blocks platelet activity (clotting). There have even been documented cases of spontaneous bleeding. What to do: Discontinue taking ginkgo bilboa at least 36 hours before any type of surgery. 88 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE