Tell your dentist

If you've been to the drug store lately you probably noticed an explosion in the number of new herbal remedies now available off-the-shelf to help cure what ails you.

If you're tempted to buy an herbal solution to remedy a health problem, don't just ask your doctor, speak to your dentist too. Like pharmaceutical drugs, some herbal remedies can cause harmful drug interactions and damage your oral health.

Herbal tea can do a great job relaxing and soothing your nerves, but it can also lower your blood pressure and put you at risk of fainting when you get up from a dental chair.

The popular gingko plant can make your gum disease take a turn for the worse. Gingko makes it harder for your blood to clot and that means injuries can take longer to heal and diseased gums can bleed a lot more than expected, sometimes uncontrollably.

Those herbal anti-anxiety agents such as St. Johns Wort have garnered a lot of good press for their relaxation powers. But in combination with a prescription sedative you may get much drowsier than you bargained for.

Like all drugs, herbal remedies should be used with caution. Let us know if you are taking a herbal or homeopathic remedy. We can help you avoid any adverse effects.