I have a heart murmur and mitral valve prolapse. Why am I required to take a pre-medication (antibiotic) at the dentist prior to every visit?
2006-11-20 08:05:18 · 8 answers · asked by rgt201 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
Because as you have mitral valve prolapse, when you have something done at the dentist everyone is at risk from infection from the open wound, in your case the infection would go straight to your heart and attack it, these antibiotics prevent that, you should also have antibiotics for every procedure you have done, as in dental, coil fitting, smear test etc
2006-11-20 08:09:05 · answer #1 · answered by nursej 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The dentists give you antibiotics before the do any work on your mouth if you have any heart condition. They do this because if you swallow tiny bit of plaque along with the stuff they use to fix your teeth, it can cause an infection in your heart and kill you. This way, you have the antibiotics in your system for a couple days before you go so they don't take a chance on anything bad happening.
My neighbor has a son that has the same condition and that is how I know. I thought it was kind of odd at first too, but now it makes a lot of sense.
2006-11-20 08:16:46 · answer #2 · answered by becreative 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a "prophylactic." It will keep you from getting an infection IN your heart which does happen with people with mitral valve problems. Take the antibiotic and you'll be fine.
2006-11-20 08:07:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You take the antibiotic to protect the mitral valve against bacteria settlling there from the dental work. It sucks, I have to take antibiotics everytime too.
cheryl
2006-11-20 08:14:37 · answer #4 · answered by cherylbarker10@sbcglobal.net 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
(I have the same thing) It was explained to me like this; the bacteria that is in your mouth can enter your bloodstream through any dental procedures, expecially extractions. These particular bacteria like to 'hide' in the heart valves and can either make heart problems worse or give you infection of the heart. (endocarditis, I think its called) Anyways, the antibiotics r just preventative measures. Hope this makes sense to ya. Good luck.
2006-11-20 08:10:59 · answer #5 · answered by intenseone 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I also have a heart murmer and from what I'm told it is to keep the bactera from getting into your blood (I think).
2006-11-20 08:14:50 · answer #6 · answered by Rosey55 D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to avoid an infection that can come from the bacteria on/in the teeth. i have the same issue
2006-11-20 08:07:47 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's an upsell to make more money.
Coach
2006-11-20 08:12:35 · answer #8 · answered by Thanks for the Yahoo Jacket 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋