Do patients at risk of infective endocarditis need antibiotics before dental procedures?
Do patients at risk of infective endocarditis need antibiotics before dental procedures?
Those at high risk of infective endocarditis – those with ‘prosthetic heart valves, previous infective endocarditis or certain types of congenital heart disease’ – should be offered antibiotic prophylaxis after a discussion with the cardiologist, and an explanation of the risks and benefits if they are to undergo a …
How do dental procedures cause endocarditis?
The gums become inflamed (red and swollen) and often bleed during tooth brushing, flossing, or certain dental procedures involving manipulation of the gums. When gums bleed, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream and can infect other parts of the body.
Who performs dental prophylaxis?
Regular prophylaxis appointments are recognized by the American Dental Association and dental insurance companies as a necessary preventive measure once every six months. A prophylaxis appointment means that you will receive a thorough teeth cleaning by a dental hygienist and a complete examination by a dentist.
What is endocarditis prophylaxis?
Endocarditis prophylaxis seeks to prevent IE by administering antibiotics to high-risk patients when they undergo procedures that can induce bacteremia.
What is infective endocarditis in dentistry?
Infective endocarditis is a serious infection occurring on the endothelial surfaces of the heart, especially at the valves. Oral commensal bacteria are the important etiologic agents in this disease. Common dental procedures, even non-surgical dental procedures, can often cause bacteremia of oral commensals.
What do antibiotics treat endocarditis?
Treatment with aqueous penicillin or ceftriaxone is effective for most infections caused by streptococci. A combination of penicillin or ampicillin with gentamicin is appropriate for endocarditis caused by enterococci that are not highly resistant to penicillin. Vancomycin should be substituted for penicillin when high-level resistance is present.
How is bacterial endocarditis diagnosed?
If your doctor suspects you have endocarditis, a blood culture test will be ordered to confirm whether bacteria, fungi, or other microorganisms are causing it. Other blood tests can also reveal if your symptoms are caused by another condition, such as anemia.
Is endocarditis life threatening?
The most common type, bacterial endocarditis, occurs when germs enter your heart. These germs come through your bloodstream from another part of your body, often your mouth. Bacterial endocarditis can damage your heart valves. If untreated, it can be life-threatening. It is rare in healthy hearts.
How do you get endocarditis?
Endocarditis is caused by a growth of bacteria on one of the heart valves, leading to an infected mass called a “vegetation”. The infection may be introduced during brief periods of having bacteria in the bloodstream, such as after dental work, colonoscopy, and other similar procedures.
