Antibiotics and Dental Treatment:  Who needs them?

 

Bacteria is normally found in the body, on the skin and in the mouth. The bacteria in the mouth can enter the bloodstream during some dental treatments and even during some daily activities like chewing, toothbrushing and flossing.  For most people, the body's immune system fights any bacteria, so the risk of infection stays low.

 

There is concern for some people with certain heart conditions and orthopedic implants. It is recommended that these patients be premedicated with antibiotics before having certain dental treatments.

 

Who should take preventive antibiotics?

1. artificial heart valves

2. a history of infectious endocarditis

3. serious congenital heart conditions, including:

          ~unrepaired or incompletely repaired cyanotic congenital heart disease, including those with palliative shunts and          

          conduits

          ~repaired congenital heart defects after the first 6 months after the procedure

          ~any repaired congenital heart defect with residual defect at the site

4. a cardiac transplant that develops a problem in a heart valve

 

 

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