PPCM and the dentist

[mandyb]

Hey!

I went to get my teeth cleaned for the first time since my dx and the dentist mentioned that with many hf patients they take an antibiotic just in case bacteria from the teeth cleaning doesn't enter the bloodstream. Have any of you dealt with that or are we immune because our hf is so different? He went ahead and cleaned my teeth anyway because my ef is 64%. Any ideas about this? Should I have gone home and come back when I had an antibiotic?

Mandy

[melissamph]

I am a nurse and I thought that I should have taken an Antibiotic but my Cardiologist said I didn't need to. I asked the dentist as well and he said he didn't think that I need to either. So I had a crown placed and various other dental work and had no problem.

[tabs]

The latest research that my docs found was that you are just as likely to get an infection from brushing your teeth as you are from the dentist. In this case the ideal would be to be on long term antibiotic treatment which is NOT advisable! The next best thing is to just to have great oral health as they have started linking poor oral health with heart disease.
Twilah

[ibvalerie]

I have always taken a antibiotic when I have dental work done. (I have had a pacemaker since I was 3) Now I dont expect it to be any different, but who knows. I am having trouble finding a dentist who will work on my mouth now. I am thinking of going to my old dentist, my Dad's good friend because he said he would treat me.


-Valerie

[SusanD]

As far as I've read, been taught and have heard of ....pre-medicating with antibiotics before dental work has always been specifically for people with heart valve problems (usually mitral valve). And Tabs is right, they are now saying the guidelines need not be so stringent and the mitral valve prolapse needs to be a certain severity level as shown on an echocardiogram.

I've never seen any research specifically about pre-medicating CHF patients. However, part of me wants to say "bring on the meds" because it seems like if it's a rare complication and it happens in someone previously healthy....*my* chances of getting it are high. I seem to have an invitation for rare disorders stamped on me somewhere :)

[carrob]

Again.....I have an "over-cautious" Dentist, and he wants me to take antibiotics when I have to have any invasive procedures done. Otherwise, I should be OK on just cleanings.

[SerenaWelsh]

Seconding Susan and Tabs -
My cardiologist (and my daughter's) have said that specifically it's for people with valve damage. I don't have valve damage, so I don't need them. My daughter has only slight valve damage, and thought the cardiologists agree that the antibiotics probably don't reduce any risks of anything - she takes them anyway. They don't hurt anything either (because it's just one large dose at the time of the appointment, not like a whole weeks course of them).

My dentist questioned why I wasn't on them, but all I had to say way, "because my cardiologist said so." and they took that answer.

[mandyb]

Thanks everyone! As always your advice has been helpful! Also, send prayers my way! I am speaking with the Utah Gov.'s wife tomorrow about women and heart disease! I am speaking to many major ceo's who are thinking of funding research on heart disease! Wish me luck!

Mandy