Preventive Antibiotics Avert Problems

Why would your dentist want to know if you have a heart condition? Because if you do, you might need preventive antibiotics before a teeth cleaning or other dental procedure, says the August issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource.

Commonly, your body's defenses protect you from infection. But, if you have damaged or artificial heart valves, your natural defenses may be weakened enough to allow opportunistic bacteria to move in, settle, multiply and infect surrounding heart tissue. This puts you at increased risk of developing endocarditis, an infection of the heart valves or the heart's inner lining. If not adequately treated, endocarditis can lead to stroke, heart failure and even death.
If you're at increased risk for this condition, preventive antibiotics may be recommended before certain medical or dental procedures, when bleeding is anticipated. Bleeding allows bacteria into the bloodstream, potentially carrying them to your heart.

If you have a damaged or artificial heart valve, talk with your medical team before having invasive medical or dental work. If it's determined that you need a preventive antibiotic, know which of your care providers will prescribe the drug and when and how long you'll need to take it.

Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource is published monthly to help women enjoy healthier, more productive lives. Revenue from subscriptions is used to support medical research at Mayo Clinic. To subscribe, please call 800-876-8633, extension 9PK1.

Did you know?
Why would your dentist want to know if you have a heart condition? Because if you do, you might need preventive antibiotics before a teeth cleaning or other dental procedure, says the August issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource.