Q: Is it okay to take antibiotics before a dental procedure?
A: If you are taking antibiotics for a problem unrelated to your oral health, be sure to inform your dentist before he does any procedure. In fact, you should keep your dentist abreast of any medications you are taking and of any short-term or long-standing medical conditions.
Generally, antibiotics will not interfere with the ability to undergo a dental procedure. In fact, people with certain heart conditions are given a dose of antibiotics an hour or so before any procedure that is likely to cause bleeding. That's because any time there's bleeding in the mouth there's the possibility of bacteria entering the bloodstream. The body's immune system usually then destroys the bacteria.
People, though, with certain types of heart disease or deformity are at risk for having the bacteria settle in the heart. The result can be a condition called bacterial endocarditis, an inflammation of heart valves or tissues. Once again, talk with your dentist about any medications you're taking or any non-dental health conditions you have. |
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