Antibiotics

[Dale S]

Harrison,

While reading another post, I picked up on the need for antibiotics during dental procedures, as well as other types of procedures, for the rest of your life after adr implantation. I previously thought this was recommended for around 3-6 post-op but I was told that Dr. Zeegers said this was a lifetime requirement.

If this is true, it should be noted on this forum. If there are other opinions, this should definitely be discussed. Neither Dr. B nor his staff mentioned anything about this. What is your opinion as well as others?

Dale

[Justin]

Dale,

You bring up a very important topic. Typically, those with artificial joints are given antibiotic prophylaxis before dental procedures. However, there are varying opinions about antibiotic prophylaxis for patients with total joint arthroplasty.

Here are a couple links that might help shed some light on this topic:

Do patients with total joint replacement need antibiotics before dental work?

Antiobiotic Prophylactic Treatment for Dental Work

Justin

[Judy]

My dentist office will not touch me unless I have taken them. Last visit I forgot to take them and when I went in for my cleaning they asked if I took them. When I said I forgot they made me reschedule my appointment. They feel and have been told that this is very important and do not work on anyone with the artifical parts unless they have taken them.

Judy

[Alastair]

I was told at the Alpha clinic that it was essential to have antibiotics an hour prior to dental surgery. My dental surgeon queried this but I was insistent. It would seem historically that people who had had artificial hip implants had been the people who started this, in the interests of my own safety and knowing the complex and dangerous problems caused by infections in spines, I take the antibiotics. It's a bit of insurance may be
Best,
Alastair

[JoJo]

I also have mitral valve prolapse, which also requires antibiotics. My dentist has refused to even clean my teeth, if I forgot to take them. Now I have two reasons to be sure to take my antibiotics.

[Harrison]

Dale, thanks for the interesting question! I must admit, I there's more room for confusion here than answers:

1. One suggests that if you have dental SURGERY you should have antibiotics;

2. Another suggests dental work that MAY induce bleeding COULD be a problem.

Now I am curious -- why should we ADR folks need any special treatment at all? We talked about the importance of good dental hygiene as a best practice for staying healthy, and even its effect on keeping the inflammatory response down.

I am missing something here folks, please clue me in or point me in the right direction so I can gather evidence or at least more pointed questions!

[Harrison]

PS: If you do take antibiotics, remember it eliminates a lot of helpful bacteria in your GI tract. After taking antibiotics, many folks eat supplements rich in probiotics, or even yogurt, to help build the colonies of bacteria needed to digest food.

[andromeda1111]

I was always told by my dentist to take antibiotics prior to any dental work, (cleaning is all I ever needed), due to the loose plaque getting into the bloodstream and causing problems for the heart.

[luvmysibe]

Another suggestion to maintain helpful bacteria is to take a daily probiotic tablet. This can be found in the supplement sections of many health food stores.

It is also important to note for females that you should take a probiotic supplement anytime you take antibiotics to prevent an unfriendly yeast infection.

[mmglobal]

I take antiboitics before going to the dentist. Any dental work exposes your bloodstream to the primordial cesspool in your mouth.

If I forgot to take them, they won't work on me.

Mark