| Earlier this year the American Heart Association | | | | antibiotics prior to dental procedures. |
| changed its guidelines on which patients would | | | | Individuals recommended to still take antibiotics |
| require antibiotics prior to a dental procedure. Last | | | | prior to dental work include those with: |
| revised in 1997, these recommendations were | | | | * A prosthetic heart valve. |
| established to provide guidance on what antibiotics | | | | * A history of previous endocarditis. |
| to use and which patients were at risk to | | | | * A history of congenital heart disease (check |
| developing an infection of the heart valve which is | | | | with your doctor on the specifics). |
| known as endocarditis. | | | | * Individuals who received a heart transplantation |
| Endocarditis, fortunately, is a rare but serious | | | | with heart valvular disease. |
| infection. It occurs when bacteria enter the blood | | | | If you previously took antibiotics routinely prior to |
| stream and deposit on to a heart valve causing | | | | any dental work, there is a good chance you |
| damage. Bacteria enter the bloodstream via | | | | won't need to any more. Check with your dentist |
| intravenous drug use but also can occur, but | | | | and doctor. Research has shown that it often |
| uncommonly, through medical procedures as well | | | | take years for newly announced guidelines or |
| as dental procedures. Once present, bacteria can | | | | beneficial research results to become |
| then to spread to different parts of the body | | | | commonplace and practiced routinely. You might |
| causing further organ damage. If severe enough, | | | | have an opportunity to gently educate them. The |
| surgery is required to replace the diseased valve. | | | | Council on Scientific Affairs of the American |
| Treatment is usually intravenous antibiotics for | | | | Dental Association also endorsed the new |
| many weeks. | | | | guidelines so your dentists should be aware as |
| The current recommendations for endocarditis | | | | well. |
| prevention will mean fewer individuals will need | | | | |