(iVillage Total Health) - Dental patients who have had to take antibiotics before dental cleanings, tooth extractions and other procedures to avoid the risk of heart disease may no longer have to premedicate before dental work.
New guidelines drafted jointly by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Dental Association (ADA) recommend dentists do not routinely prescribe antibiotics to prevent infective endocarditis (IE) in all patients with heart conditions. Endocarditis is a relatively uncommon but very dangerous inflammation, usually caused by infection in vulnerable areas of the endocardium - the innermost layer of the heart's chambers and valves. The condition is usually caused by bacteria that enter the body by various means, such as cuts, minor surgeries and dental procedures.
For years, antibiotics (antimicrobial medications) have been prescribed to prevent illness that can result when bacteria in the mouth enters the bloodstream during dental work. Preventive use of antibiotics has often been recommended for patients who have certain pre-existing heart conditions or compromised immune systems.
Under the new guidelines, only patients at the greatest risk of negative outcomes of IE should take antibiotics before dental procedures. These include heart transplant patients who develop cardiac valve problems, people with artificial heart valves, people with certain congenital heart conditions.
Copyright 2009 NBC Health
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