Bellingham Dentist

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Dental Care Following a Stroke

Suffering a stroke is never an easy thing to go through. Your daily routine can change dramatically in many ways, and your regular oral hygiene is no exception. If you’ve recently had a stroke, you should be sure to take special measures to assure that your dental care does not suffer as well.

A big problem for many people is that they lose the manual strength or dexterity that they need to brush their teeth properly. If this is your experience, consider making the switch to an electric toothbrush or a flossing aid. In some cases, you may only need to wrap a cloth around your toothbrush to make it easier to grip.

When it comes time to visit our Bellingham dentist again, bring along a list of any medication you may have been prescribed following your stroke. Some medication, like anticoagulants, can encourage excessive bleeding and have unfortunate implications in your dental treatments. If you are experiencing poor memory as a result of your stroke, consider writing down any instructions that your dentist gives you. In this way, you should be able to maintain healthy teeth and gums in spite of your stroke.