Sometimes dentists recommend a dose of antibiotic before dental treatment. Here’s why.
You may have a family member or friend mention that they take a dose of antibiotics before dental procedures. Have you ever wondered why?
Everyone has bacteria in their mouth. During certain dental procedures, there is a risk of bacteria from the mouth entering the bloodstream. For most healthy patients, this occurrence, called bacteremia, is no cause for concern as our bodies’ immune systems react quickly and kill the bacteria. For some patients though, the bacteria can travel to other parts of the body and cause potentially life-threatening infections like endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of your heart chambers and valves.
Who Needs A Prophylactic Antibiotic?
Over the years, the criteria for a prophylactic antibiotic, or premedication, has changed. Most recently, the American Dental Association and the American Heart Association have determined that patients with compromised immune systems due to cancer, chemotherapy, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis could benefit from this preventative measure. Other patients with heart conditions such as artificial heart valves, heart transplants, unrepaired cyanotic congenital heart disease, and repaired heart defects, may need antibiotics before a dental appointment as well.
Often called premedication, a prophylactic antibiotic is recommended for patients having cleanings, root canals, extractions, deep scaling, root planing, and other procedures where there may be a risk of bacteria entering the bloodstream. Procedures like x-rays, denture placements or adjustments, anesthetic injections, and non-invasive orthodontic treatment don’t usually require prophylactic antibiotics.
When a patient is required to premedicate with antibiotics, the most common treatment is one dose of amoxicillin one hour before your appointment. Doctors often use clindamycin for patients allergic to the -cillin family. If you forget to premedicate, your dentist may provide it or reschedule your appointment.
The essential goal during COVID-19 is to stay out of the ER and avoid unnecessary dental treatment of any kind. These habits help, and they’ll definitely pay off down the road:
Why Doesn’t Everyone Premedicate?
Most patients’ immune systems are healthy enough to fight any bacteria that may enter the bloodstream. Infections after dental procedures are rare. According to recent studies on bacteremia after dental procedures. The side effects of antibiotics usually outweigh the benefit of premedicating. Prophylactic antibiotics aren’t used for every patient due to the risk of upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, bacterial resistance, and the possibility of life-threatening allergic reactions.
Experts constantly review and update the guidelines for prophylactic antibiotics. In the past, patients with heart murmurs, rheumatic fever history, or joint replacements needed premedication, but not anymore. Fill your prophylactic antibiotic prescription before each visit.
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