JulienDu
Well-known member
When do to Dental cleaning after surgery ?
When do to Dental cleaning after surgery ?
- Thread starter JulienDu
- Start date
Help Support Valve Replacement Forums:
I had my first clean by the dentist at approximately six months after surgery as it's important to make sure teeth and gums are healthy. I stressed to the dentist that I had had my AVR. In the UK they do not give prophylactic antiobiotics prior to cleaning at the dentist, I think some other countries might do. I have some prophylactic antibiotics on hand though for if I ever need more invasive work (will make sure I have a supply in store incase there's a catastrophe 
wink)
wink)cldlhd
Well-known member
I waited until around 10 months post surgery, I guess I was erring on the side of caution and to be honest who likes going to the dentist? Some say because my valve was repaired and not replaced I have a lower risk of infection but I'm also possibly at a higher risk just because I have a BAV. My surgeon recommends an antibiotic prophylactic so I take 2000mg of amoxicillin. The last time I requested a prescription they gave me enough for 2 cleanings. Here in the states there are recommendations but it's still largely down to the individual doctor.
AZ Don
Well-known member
When you would if you hadn't had surgery. Proper dental hygiene is the best way to reduce the risk of endocarditis. Although prophylactic antibiotics are no longer generally recommended for most, some take them anyways. You can always rinse with listerine prior to the appointment, to kill bacteria in advance. My dentist offers an antibiotic rinse with the cleaning which is probably a good idea.
I have a proper clean at the dentist every six months and keep up good oral hygiene in-between
As reagrds mouthwashes to kill bacteria: when I was having a wisdom tooth out last year in hospital I had to gown up and everything before I went into the operating theatre. Once there I asked why they weren't giving me anything to sterilize my mouth. I was told that it was impossible to kill all the bacteria in the mouth as there are so many different kinds (I was taking prophylactic antibiotics to protect my valve). This got me very interested in oral bacteria - there can be 100 different kinds, some of them beneficial and some of them harmful. I now take a specific oral probiotic which contains beneficial bacteria. There will still be harmful bacteria around, since our mouths are open to the air and what we put in them so we get all sorts come in, but if you can encouarge the beneficial ones they can have the most effect. and crowd out the bad guys. But you can't kill all the bacteria !
As reagrds mouthwashes to kill bacteria: when I was having a wisdom tooth out last year in hospital I had to gown up and everything before I went into the operating theatre. Once there I asked why they weren't giving me anything to sterilize my mouth. I was told that it was impossible to kill all the bacteria in the mouth as there are so many different kinds (I was taking prophylactic antibiotics to protect my valve). This got me very interested in oral bacteria - there can be 100 different kinds, some of them beneficial and some of them harmful. I now take a specific oral probiotic which contains beneficial bacteria. There will still be harmful bacteria around, since our mouths are open to the air and what we put in them so we get all sorts come in, but if you can encouarge the beneficial ones they can have the most effect. and crowd out the bad guys. But you can't kill all the bacteria !
I was told to wait six months. I premed with AMox for any dental work.
Jim
Jim
I went through a thorough cleaning and all pending dental work before surgery. I was then advised to wait six months after surgery before any other dental work (other than emergencies, should any occur). I also pre-medicate prior to any dental work, using 600 mg of clindamycin 1 hour before the appointment.
