Give your medicine cabinet a “Spring Cleaning”

In Wisconsin, drug overdose has surpassed motor vehicle crashes as the number one cause of accidental death.  Misuse of opioid pain medications, such as Codeine, Oxycodone, and Hydrocodone, plays a role in more deaths than heroin, cocaine and all other drugs combined.  By now, you may have noticed the “Dose of Reality” campaign that was initiated last September in the state of Wisconsin.  Through television and radio ads, the campaign aims to raise awareness and help prevent prescription drug abuse.

While a large number of prescription opioids are prescribed by physicians following surgeries and sports injuries, it is also common for these prescriptions to be written in a dental office.  The staff at Generations Dental is taking this campaign to heart.  We have always been and will continue to be careful to limit our prescriptions and the amounts dispensed for these stronger drugs.  In most cases, research shows that over the counter acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) can be more effective in relieving pain that opioids.  Which is why we recommend using over the counter pain management medications in 95% of dental pain cases.  Of course there are certain circumstances that call for stronger pain control.  Know that we care for our patients and our community and will always make prescription recommendations with all the risks and benefits in mind to keep you both comfortable and safe.

If you have medications that are needed in your household, please be sure to store them properly.  More than 70% of people who abuse pain medications get them through friends and relatives.  Keep medications out of sight and out of reach, especially if there are children and teens in the house.  If at all possible, keep prescription pain medications in their original container and locked in a cabinet, drawer, or medical safe. If you have extra “leftover” prescription drugs or expired over-the-counter medications, please consider giving your medicine cabinet a “spring cleaning.”  Unneeded and expired medications can be dropped off at any pharmacy by an adult for safe disposal.  Medications should never be flushed down the toilet or poured down the drain.  This can contaminate the water supply.    These medications can also be disposed of at area Drug Take Back events.

Here in Hartland, there is a local Drug Take Back event taking place a week from today.  If you have any drugs that need proper disposal, consider bringing them to the Arrowhead High School Pill Drop.  It will be held at the Mullet Ice Center from 6:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. next Friday, May 13^th.  Thanks for taking steps to keep yourself, your family and our community safe.