Sciota, Pennsylvania
Has your dentist ever advised you to take an antibiotic before an upcoming appointment? Doing so serves as a pre-emptive dose of medication, also known as antibiotic prophylaxis, which is meant to keep bacteria from the mouth from entering the bloodstream, where it might lead to an infection in the heart or joints. If your dentist recommends an antibiotic prophylaxis, you need to follow this advice. Today on the blog, your dentists in Sciota want to explore this issue in greater detail.
When should patients take an antibiotic prior to seeing their dentist?
The American Dental Association advises patients with certain specific heart conditions to take an antibiotic prophylaxis before any dental procedure.
These conditions include:
- An Artificial heart valve
- Endocarditis, or a past history of endocarditis
- A complete heart repair or heart transplant
- Certain heart defects, such as unrepaired cyanotic congenital heart disease
Antibiotic prophylaxis also is advised for any patient who has had a joint replacement surgery—a knee, hip, or shoulder, for example—before any dental procedure. This includes routine cleanings.
If you need an antibiotic, you should take it 30 to 60 minutes before your scheduled appointment. This usually entails taking penicillin, but if you have an allergy, alternatives to penicillin include cephalexin, doxycycline or azithromycin.
What heart conditions do not require an antibiotic prophylaxis?
- Mitral valve prolapse
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Bicuspid valve disease
- Rheumatic heart disease
- Septal defects in either the arteries or ventricles
Why do these people need antibiotic prophylaxis?
Your mouth contains millions of bacteria—some good, some bad. The bad bacteria thrive on the plaque that builds on and around the teeth and gums. This plaque accumulates for everyone to some degree no matter how diligent their dental hygiene might be. When you have a dental cleaning, this plaque is dislodged from your mouth. Even though your mouth is rinsed and cleaned, you might swallow some of the bacteria in your saliva. From there, the bacteria could travel to the heart or an artificial joint, setting up an infection.
How do I know if I need antibiotic prophylaxis?
The only way to know for sure is to consult with your dentist in Sciota. At Quiet Valley Dental, for any patient who is joining our practice, one of our dentists will review their total health history. This information is used to determine whether or not you need an antibiotic prophylaxis. Taking unnecessary doses of antibiotics can do more harm than good. For one thing, it can lead to antibiotic resistance, which means strands of bacteria become resistant to treatment because of the tendency of physicians to over prescribe antibiotic medication.
Thorough, quality dental care in Sciota, Pennsylvania
Quiet Valley Dental we urge all our patients to receive a dental checkup and cleaning every six months. Knowing whether or not you need antibiotic prophylaxis helps protect your overall health while maintaining your oral wellness. If you have lapsed in your schedule of biannual cleanings, then now is a great time to get back on track. Quiet Valley Dental currently is accepting new patients. Schedule your appointment today by calling (570) 992-7040 or completing our online contact form.
