22 Oct Not All Supplements and Herbal Remedies Are Created Equal
Make sure to tell your dentist what supplements and herbal remedies you are taking.
Products can adversely affect your treatment or pose health risks.
There are many dietary and herbal supplements available over-the-counter. Many companies manufacture quality products. Unfortunately, there is not good quality and safety oversight, nor regulation of this industry. The FDA does not test nor endorse these non-prescription products. This situation means that some products may contain unsafe levels of lead, not contain the dosage indicated on the packaging, or make false claims about effectiveness. The following two websites are good resources to use when selecting a supplement and were recommended to our office by a practicing clinical pharmacist at the University of Iowa .
Consumerlab.com : There is a small fee for access to this site ($39/year). Information includes: quality ratings and product comparisons, tips on using supplements, price checks, an Encyclopedia of Natural Products, and a database of new and archived recalls.
Supplement-geek.com : A website that tests supplements and reviews how effective they are. It also analyzes the ingredients in different supplements.
Make sure to tell your medical doctor and dentist what supplements and herbs you are taking. These over-the-counter products can affect your treatment. For example, some herbs such as Ginseng, Garlic, St. John’s Wort, and Kava Kava can increase your bleeding risk during surgeries like tooth extractions. Some supplements also interact with prescription medications. Some herbs can actually be toxic and cause life-threatening health issues such as liver damage. It is also possible to have an allergic reaction to herbs and supplements. Therefore, it is very important your healthcare providers know everything you are taking, even if it is an over-the-counter product.