Why am I given antibiotics by my dentist before having a filling done (hip repl. 6 months ago). No heart con

Question

I do not have a heart condition. hip replacement 6 months ago

Answer 1

This is done if the cavity is very deep to prevent the bacteria there from infecting your blood. Also if you have any signs of infection (like puss in the cavity) or compromised immune system.

There is always bacteria. This is what causes cavity. If he's only working with bone, there's no reason to be concerned about sepsis (infection spreading to blood) but if he may get into the circulation than the antibiotics are a good precaution.

The tooth may also be infected. This is called an abscessed tooth and it is very painful. To have a filling done on an abscessed tooth would be the most excruciating pain you have ever felt. If the cavity is painful than he is trying to prevent or treat an abscess so he can work on the tooth without torturing you half to death.

Answer 2

All of the actual dental professionals here have given you the correct answer, but there is admittedly some controversy about the need for preoperative antibiotics after joint replacement. The orthopedists themselves do not agree. I would prefer to premed for at least six months and after that, I leave it up to the orthopedic surgeon's discretion. Some will stop the Rx and some say, "Always and forever." It is the same principle as if you had a heart condition. Hey, you just spent how much money and endure how much pain to get a new hip? It just doesn't make sense to risk an infection, even if it is only a theoretical possibility.

Answer 3

Huskymom was closest. No offense, Huskymom. :) The antibiotics are called "antibiotic prophylaxis" meaning they are preventative. Any dental procedure that could cause bleeding (a cleaning, a filling near the gum-line, etc) allows a pathway for the bacteria in your mouth to enter your bloodstream. When you have the antibiotics in your system already, they kill the bacteria rather than risking it set up shop somewhere else in your body. The artificial hip is a foreign spot in your body where bacteria could get an easier hold and set up a colony. If they did start growing there (multiplying), some could break off in a larger hunk, travel in your bloodstream, and block off a small blood vessel elsewhere. That is risky for strokes, heart trouble, etc. The condition you're fighting with the antibiotics is called SBE - Sub-acute Bacterial Endocarditis where the bacteria attacks the valves of the heart. It can be fatal. Be glad your dentist and his/her staff takes it seriously. They're looking out for you.

Answer 4

A bit late this answer but my two cents worth - the current American Heart Association guidelines DO NOT recommend antibiotic prophylaxis for restorative procedures (with or without retraction cord). Having said that I know some restorative work can get quite bloody but as the vast majority does not cause transient bacteraemia I would not advise antibiotic prophylaxis for solely filling work. Naturally, any scaling done at the same appointment would justify giving the meds. Otherwise, you are just risking antibiotic resistance in case you really do need antibiotic therapy.

Answer 5

The dentist is being smart. It's so that when he goes inside to work, it's stopping the possiblity of an infection. I had an infection grow deep inside , under my tooth, because the dentist did NOT give me antibiotics, and it was one of the horribly pains I have ever experienced. Take the pills!

Answer 6

Current guidelines in the UK do not specify hip replacements as requiring Antibiotic cover.

Some orthopedic surgeons inform their patients that they will need cover but it is not the case.

One piece of research states that the levels of bacteraemia( bacteria in the blood stream) caused by normal activities such as eating, toothbrushing over a year are a million times higher than that caused by a single extraction

Answer 7

They want to make sure that no bacteria that is in your mouth will get into your bloodstream and travel to the site of the hip replacement. If it did it could cause the hip replacement to fail.

Answer 8

They give you the antibiotic to prevent an infection in your hip during your dental procedures.

Answer 9

Listen to Huskymom, she's dead on. If you have futher questions about it, call the docotor's office where the hip replacement was done, they'll educate you on when you need to pre-med for procedures. You should also be taking a pre-med when getting your teeth cleaned.

Answer 10

Do these antibiotics make your mouth numb??!!!!!!

Maybe your breath smells so bad that the dentist thinks you'll get an infection if they break the surface crust?