Antibiotic Premedication Prior to Dental Treatments

Guidelines for Antibiotic Premedication

In certain health conditions antibiotics are given before a  dental procedure, to prevent a possible infection from occurring; this practice is called “antibiotic prophylaxis.”

Prophylactic antibiotics might be recommended before dental procedures if you have one or more of the following health conditions:

  • A heart transplant
  • Artificial heart valves
  • A history of infective endocarditis
  • Some types of congenital heart problems — particularly if they haven’t been completely repaired, or if their treatment involves prosthetic material
  • Artificial Hip replacement
  • Artificial Knee replacement
  • Total joint replacement
  • A systemic inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus erythematosis
  • A weakened immune system resulting from HIV, cáncer, radiation or chemotherapy, or another cause
  • Insulin-dependent (type I) diabetes or hemophilia
  • A history of previous infection in a prosthetic joint
  • Undernourishment or malnourishment

There are other circumstances where taking prophylactic antibiotics would be a prudent step; there are also a number of situations where these medications might have been recommended in the past, but aren’t currently required in all cases. For example, the presence of a benign heart murmur, a pacemaker or defibrillator, and certain heart diseases or congenital defects don’t automatically mean that antibiotic prophylaxis will be needed.

In recent years, reports of drug-resistant bacteria and harmful side effects from some medications have increased public awareness of the consequences of overusing antibiotics. Afortunadamente, new scientific research is helping us make better, evidence-based treatment decisions on antibiotic use. If you have questions about whether you should take antibiotics before dental procedure, don’t hesitate to ask.

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Premedication for Dental Treatment. If you have had a total joint replacement in the past, you may be advised to take antibiotics before have dental work. That’s because certain preexisting health conditions may make you more susceptible to infection during a dental procedure. Find out what the risk factors are… Read Article

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