randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
i just got back from my dental cleaning.
was talking to the dentist and he almost didn't clean my teeth because of my new heart problem. i have to call the cardiologist tomorrow and ask about being on abx before having dental work.
duh....i didn't know that. but because my teeth were in good shape and i wasn't bleeding, he went ahead and had them cleaned.
but we also talked about lyme and he said most definitely, people with lyme should be on abx for dental cleanings also.
so are you? i guess most of you are on abx, but if not, does your dentist make you take them before a cleaning?
he said it was because infections can be in the blood and if you bleed during a cleaning, it can go into the heart or go systemic cause you're swallowing a lot.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Your dentist is correct. The IDSA now disagree, however. Most doctors follow their proclamation.
But swallowing is the least of the problems. It has more to do with the blood stream. Even a slight tool-prick that causes even a touch of blood can transmit bacteria to the heart.
It's good to see a dentist remember what he learned before the IDSA's war on antibiotics. My dentist says abx are needed for my cleaning but my GP says, "no, not any more."
I don't buy that. The risk of heart infection may be small but it can be a VERY serious matter if you are that small percent. Maybe your dentist could call in the prescription if your GP will not.
New Guidelines Advise Against Antibiotics to Prevent Endocarditis
New practice guidelines from the American Heart Association (AHA) say that taking a precautionary antibiotic before a dental procedure is unnecessary for most patients and may cause more harm than good.
For years, physicians have prescribed short-term antibiotics prior to teeth cleaning or other dental procedures for patients with various heart abnormalities to prevent infective endocarditis (IE).
Like all drugs, the antibiotics carry risks, including allergic reactions and possibly promoting the development of drug-resistant infections.
New evidence shows the risks outweigh the benefits for most patients.
. . .
IDSA and the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society have endorsed the guidelines.
The American Dental Association also has approved them.
The guidelines were published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association in April 2007 and are available online.
- Full article at link above. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Randi,
If you are not currently on antibotics, there may be some protection with Olive Leaf Extract &/or Andrographis. That's what I count on, anyway.
But going on abx for the day or so before and during treatment should be no big deal. I can't believe doctors would want to risk this. The war against abx has really gotten out of hand. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
i'm fortunate that at least my dentist is a keeper.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
depends on heart problem mitral valve prolapse scarlet fever prosthetic joints these all need ab coverage prior to routine dental treatment (all treatment involving blood) heart attacks do not need abx coverage
docdave dds
Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
how about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
My brother in law is currently recovering from a very serious staph infection which was most likely caused by dental cleaning -- developed within 48 hours of the cleaning. Lots of IV Vancomycin seems to have saved his life. He had no known health risks prior to the infection.
Randi -- To be safe I would definitely do the antibiotics a couple of days is all that is necessary. Hubby has done that for years even before Lyme due to his mitral valve prolapse murmur. His dentist used to mail him a prescription prior to his appointments.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
well i figure if i do biaxin twice a day 500 mg, and i've got a ton of probiotics --
florastor, pbf8, critical care, jarrow, acidolphilis, and super shield.
i should be ok if i take one of each twice a day.
after all, i did bleed a little.
better safe than sorry.
i did have c. diff in december but i'm willing to risk just a couple of days of abx.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
I have to do antibiotics for dental work due to Mitral Valve Prolapse. When the valve is prolapsed, then blood can hang around longer than it should around that valve and cause infection in the heart.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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