Why do I have to take an anti-biotic every time I get my teeth cleaned just because I have a heart murmur?

I'm told it's a minor murmur called mitro valve prolapse but my doctor says not to worry because my heart is healthy, so what is dangerous about getting dental work done without an anti-biotic?? My dentist won't even clean my teeth unless I take Amoxicillan (anti-biotic).

Why do I have to take an anti-biotic every time I get my teeth cleaned just because I have a heart murmur?
Your teeth, and more importantly, your gums have a direct correlation to the health of your heart. Anytime you have oral trauma your heart usually reflects whatever is going on in your mouth. Your dentist, as a precaution, has you take antibiotics specifically for your heart valve condition. If you were to have any dental work and you didn't take an antibiotic prior to your visit you run the rist of contracting endocarditis - an infection inside your heart that attacks the valves. If left untreated endocarditis can weaken and breakdown the valve(s) in your heart which can lead to heart attack - and TIA's (mini-strokes) and Strokes. It is for this reason that you, your dentist, and your doctor are so dilligent about pre-dental protocol.





My step-father had a heart valve fail when he was 6 years old. He had it replaced with a pig valve. For the first 30 years of his life he was great about taking his medication, following up with his doctor, and taking the necessary precautions when visiting the dentist. After he hit 30 he steadily gained weight, became an alcoholic, abused drugs, and began to neglect his heart health all together. By 2006, at the age of 44 he was on a better track, married to my mother, and taking somewhat better care of himself. While watching the Super Bowl in 2006 he got a popcorn kernal stuck between his back molar and gum. Instead of going to the dentist he began to pick at it until it got infected. By the time he got help a couple of months later he had a sever case of endocarditis that had settled on the valve - he began a wave of super powerful antibiotics by home IV - the infections became dormant but not eliminated - he was taken off the IV meds in late March. The week of Easter in April the infection roared back - his weakened valve fell apart while the staph ate it away. On Easter Sunday three tiny pieces of his heart valve shot to his brain causing three mini strokes. Seven days later - early in the morning a chunk of the valve the size of a pea shot to the right side of his brain and caused a massive stroke that should have killed him.





He is 46 years old - completely paralyzed on his left side - will never be able to speak or write again - and will never be able to leave the nursing home he is in. It is the most horrible thing to watch that I have ever seen. I cry everytime I look at him - he was so independant, so young, and just getting his life back on track. And a popcorn kernal destroyed it all - along with his previous bad habits.





Please don't let this happen to you. The inconvienance of having to take a regime of antibiotics everytime you go to the dentist pales in comparison to the horrors I have seen.





Take care of yourself and I hope this helps you!
Reply:In case of infection - your heart could be effected first. Once there is an infection in ones heart it is a serious situation.
Reply:This is done to prevent infective endocarditis. If you have a heart condition, bacteria from the teeth or gut can invade the valves of your heart and cause inflammation and heart failure. Therefore, when you have a procedure done, you must take a preventive antibiotic.
Reply:Because bacteria from your teeth and gums can make it into your blood stream during dental work.





People with heart murmurs have some degree of valve dammage in their hearts and are more prone to develope infections on the dammaged valves from this bacteria.





The penecillin is to prevent the infection of your valves!
Reply:HELLO,


EVAN THOUGH YOUR HEART MAY BE HEALTHY, THE VALVES INSIDE IT ARE NOT.


WHY NOT?


A MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE MEANS THAT THERE IS BACK FLOW FROM YOUR MITRAL VALVE WITH EVERY HEARTBEAT.


SO WHAT?


THIS MEANS THAT THIS IS AN IRREGULAR VALVE WHERE CIRCULATING BACTERIA IN YOUR BLOOD CAN SETTLE AND GROW.


AND, SO WHAT?


THIS CAN CAUSE BACTERIAL ENDOCARDITIS, A SEVERE INFECTION IN THE HEART.


ANY CLEANING WILL CAUSE BACTERIA TO CIRCULATE WITH EVERY HEARTBEAT.


NORMALLY, THIS IS NEVER A PROBLEM. THOSE WITH MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE HAVE TO BE PREMEDICATED TO PREVENT POSSIBLE INFECTION.
Reply:The reason you are instructed to take an antiboiotic a hour before any dental procedure is to prevent the bacteria form getting to your heart. Studies have came out to show that its not neccessary to take them before a dental procedure anymore. That is why your doctor says you are fine. The dentisit is just being cautious. People who have joint replacements also are told to be premedicated.
Reply:Old school. Antibiotics are no longer required for dental cleanings when there is a murmer. Protocol has changed. If your dentist is not up to speed, have him call his licensing body for direction. Ditto for your hygienist. She should know that antibiotics are no longer required.



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