Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: I have been told I need antibiotics prior to dental care — why?
A: A life-threatening infection of your heart could occur after a dental visit. Also, one could infect a recently placed artificial joint that may require it to be removed.
Cardiac conditions such as, but not limited to, require antibiotics prior to dental care: prosthetic heart valves, pacemakers, previous bacterial endocarditis, congenital heart defects, acquired valvular dysfunction (such as with Rheumatic heart disease/rheumatic fever), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, mitral valve prolapse with regurgitation, and pulmonary shunts.
Prosthetic joints of any kind (usually for 2 years after placement), immunocompromised patients (Lupus, Leukemia, uncontrolled Diabetes, Chemotheraphy, and radiation patients) and those with infectious diseases (HIV, Hepatitis, Tuberculosis) also require premedication with antibiotics.
