Pre-Dental Meds?!?

Hi Everyone,

I really need some help here. I went to the dentist this past week for the first time in 5 years. I have had my pm for 15 years and I have always taken amoxicillian prior to a dental visit. I saw a new dentist and he seemed to think this was unnecessary. He kind of gave me a hard time about it and now I'm confused. I noticed my cardiologist did lower the amount this time, but she also did call in the prescription. The dentist wants me to call the cardiologist before I go back to see him next week. I have read that people with pms don't need these pre-antibiotics, but I can't help thinking that my cardiologist knows whats best. She's is the chief of cardiology at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and I'm sure she is very aware of all the information the dentist was trying to shove down my throat! I just don't want to call the cardiologist if I should acctually be taking this medicaytion and the dentisit just doesn't know what he's talking about! That was long, I know!! but I need to know if anyone has info on this, or can tell me if they take meds prior to the dentist. Thank you in advance!!
-Patti

5 Comments

You don't really need antibiotics

by MSPACER - 2008-01-10 10:01:17

You don't really need to pre-medicate with antibiotics if you have a pacemaker. Usually, the dentist will give you antibiotics if you have mitral valve prolapse. Other indications are for people who have diabetes. If you don't have to take the antibiotics, why take them.? They only cause untold problems in your body, killing off the good bacteria. There are a lot of new guidelines regarding pre-medicating. That's why the dentist thinks that it is unnecessary.

Better safe than sorry

by ela-girl - 2008-01-10 11:01:26

I do agree with mspacer...I'm not one for taking anything extra that I don't have to--they wreak havoc on my system. At the same time, however, some patients do need the antibiotics depending on the conditions they have--like mspacer mentions, mitro valve prolapse, something my mother has. Personally, I would go with what your cardiologist recommends--but your dentist is a doctor of sorts, too, so I can see why you would go with his opinion if you are comfortable with it. Since you seem unsure, DEFINITELY call your doctor and ask his nurse and explain what the dentist told you and just tell them that you were unsure because of the conflicting information between the doc and the dentist. They will understand and it's your right! They should all be working for your good anyways!

The thought behind taking the antibiotics before going to the dentist for work is that small cuts in your gums can allow infection into your bloodstream. I don't have to take any antibiotics before going to the dentist for a cleaning just because I have a pm--but my EP did have me take some the first time I had a cleaning with my pm because it was only a couple of week after surgery and he didn't want to risk any infections. If you are having other work done, though, and it's been 5 years...well, maybe it is better to err on the side of caution. I'm no doctor nor do I know the state of your dental hygiene...my sis is a dental assistant and I hear about this stuff all the time.

Sorry to have rambled. That's just what I was thinking, though!

ela-girl

Pre-dental meds

by VonnieVern - 2008-01-11 08:01:26

I always take pre-dental meds because I had endocarditist nearly thirty years ago. I wonder if the endocarditis has anything to do with my present bradycardia.

Vonnie

No More Pre-dental meds

by ted - 2008-01-11 09:01:06

I had been taking antibiotics for many years prior to any dental procedure. Last month my cardiologist told me the current medical opinion was that this was not necessary. So, one less pill to remember to take, Ted

Dentist Visit

by SMITTY - 2008-01-11 12:01:40

Hi PattiAnn,

I say take the word of your cardiologist about the amoxicillin. Amoxicillin is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria. I don't' think you will find many areas of the body that are better breading ground for bacteria than the mouth.

I do agree a bacterial infection is not going to bother your PM, but that is probably not what the reason the cardiologist is prescribing amoxicillin. A bacterial infection can be increase the load on our heart and the entire body and again I think the cardiologist knows the needs of your heart best.

As for taking meds prior to dentists visits, yes I took antibotics as prescribed bymy doctor after I got my PM.

Smitty

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