Went for a dental check up my first one at my new dentist ( haven't had one in seven years) oops.

[Yumz199725]

I was just wondering if anybody else on here with congenital heart disease with bicuspid aortic valve and had Coarctation repair has to have antibiotic treatment before undergoing dental treatment like having a tooth out I only ask because I do. Let's just say my dentist doesn't like me very much! 😆

[LadyZ13]

Hey Yumz, good question, not one I can answer as mine isn't a valve issue (though valves are affected). Forgive me if I've asked this before, but are you on the Somerville group FB page for congential heart patients? I have found it really helpful for issues specific to these pesky issues we were born with!Hope you get the answers you need ☺️

[Yumz199725 in reply to LadyZ13]

Hi lady z13.Thanks for reply anyway it is a difficult question I agree just wondering. Yeah I think I am not sure I follow 3 support groups 2 on Facebook and this one.

[Cat04 in reply to Yumz199725]

UK Aortic & Heart Defects Pre Surgery & post surgery.

This is a great Facebook support group, join and ask on there.

[Hidden]

Hello

Even if the dentist is not you favourite person in the world they should know all your medical history and every med you take and have it on their system mine does and then when you are having any treatment or need any antibiotics maybe they can see straight away if they will be safe for you

If they do prescribe anything I always ask as well will these be ok with everything just to remind them

Well done though going to the dentist it is so important to look after your teeth and you realise that when you get older even more look after them now and you should have a nice smile for years to come x

[Yumz199725 in reply to Hidden]

Yeah don't worry I made them aware of my medical history I think that's why my dentist doesn't like me 😳😂. Thanks for your reply though bekind28 😘.

[Hidden in reply to Yumz199725]

Well it does not matter if they don't like you as long as they keep your teeth healthy x

[dawnz in reply to Yumz199725]

Hi Yumz199725, I had surgery on mitral valve and now many years later all the valves are leaking. I always have antibiotic cover for any dental procedure including visit to the Hygienist. Just a check up, no antibiotics. The World Health Organisation did issue guidance a few years ago to the effect that it wasn't really necessary, but both my Consultant and Dentist - and me, insist on it. Hope this helps, glad you made that appointment!

[it-whiz]

Hiya YumzFor anything, but a check up, I have to take antibiotics before dental treatment.

I suspect its for the same reason as me, to prevent any infection. In my case it's to avoid contracting infective endocarditis again, as through your mouth, blood and and debris from the dentist poking around

there is a chance of infection getting in.

It's on the recommendation of Nice to take antibiotics before and after any dental treatment and although in my experience, some dentists don't advocate taking antibiotics, my surgeon wrote to my dentist to insist I do. I am happy to err on the side of caution, as I don't wish to get endocarditis again!😊

I hope that helps?

Mark

[dawnz in reply to it-whiz]

I am with you, I developed endocarditis and pneumonia after having a heart attack , no wonder my poor hardworking valves got leaky! Wishing you well

[it-whiz in reply to dawnz]

wow I am sorry to hear that Dawnz, having endocarditis on its own was bad enough, but to get endocarditis along with pneumonia after a heart attack, I cant begin to imagine how poorly you must have been!! I hope, like me, that is all behind you?

Mark

[dawnz in reply to it-whiz]

Its the first time I have written it , and realise it was a pretty big hit. 12 years on and I am monitored by Congenital and heart failure Consultants - they are great. I take several meds daily and I am up and busy most days. I do what I can to look after myself - keeping my weight down now that I have shed a few stones, and keeping active. having said that I have just munched on some lovely chocs my son bought me!! But yes, I am aware that another heart attack, and endocarditis are a high risk and I owe to myself and the docs to stay well. Hope you are up and doing, wishing you well, have a good week

[Yumz199725]

Lol yeah trust me she don't her face when I walked in 😂. Plus I yanked out the thing they put in your mouth for an Xray of your teeth because I felt like I was chocking 😆

[Yumz199725]

Nope lol 😆 need to go back on 28th aswell 😂

[Hidden]

I have got the dentist on Tuesday. Filling fell out. Any way I have managed to see a dentist regularly because I wave my letter under there noses from the cardiologist. Any way I don't know what the dentist will do, as my dentists keep leaving. But the dentist is prepared to look after me and she even looked up my congenital heart defect. I recon she thought got right one here. Any way will have to see what she can do for me.

[Letsallhope1]

hello there, I’ve got congenital heart disease and the answer is yes! You need antibiotics cover for any procedure and teeth cleaning too.

Only appointment not requiring antibiotics is your 6 months checkup. I’ve been battling dentists all my life sadly because some of them are really not happy to prescribe them. One dentist recently told me that the rules have changed and cardiologist don’t advise them anymore, called my cardiac nurse in the GUCH department of Royal Brompton where I’ve been looked after for the past 20 years and she once again told me that it is paramount for my safety to be covered by antibiotics during dental procedure.

Insist, don’t get intimidated, it is your heart health on the line!

All the best x

[Yumz199725 in reply to Letsallhope1]

Aw thanks so much for your reply and so glad you understand aswell. I didn't know I needed it even for a clean oops I don't know what to do now it's on 28th and if I insist my dentist gona hate me even more then she does. Can I ask what congenital defect do you have? I was born with coarctation of the aorta and had it repaired at a day old and my valve is bicuspid and leaky and narrow, so quite alot. Erm I'm very stable at the moment although they always refer to my condition as a grey area 🙈so I honestly don't know if I will need it I might check with my consultant just to be safe. Thanks again for your very lovely reply hope your keeping well. Take care ❤️

[Letsallhope1 in reply to Yumz199725]

how about asking your GP for the 3gr antibiotic sachet? Or maybe explain the situation to the dentist receptionist who can speak to the dentist and get the prescription issued. Maybe I’m lucky but after the initial explanation and discussion (dentist voiced out his opinion which went against my cardiologist one 🙄), we are now all on the same page and I get the prescriptions issued without any major drama.

I was born with tetralogy of Fallot, at 30 I had a pulmonary valve replacement (bio valve) and fitted with a dual chamber ICD

I’m now 50 and have heart failure, taking loads of meds but situation is quite stable and living a life which is still worth living 😃

[Yumz199725 in reply to Letsallhope1]

Hi letsallhope1 thanks for your reply I got in contact with cardiac team and I don't need antibiotics for dental treatment only if I have a valve replacement so glad I asked 😅. Glad you get yours issued without any problems.

[spinningjenny]

I have heart valve issues and yes, up until a few years ago I had to have antibiotic cover before dental treatment. However, according to my dentist, this is no longer policy and I haven’t had antibiotics for dental procedures for about five years. I have no idea why not but my daughter is a dental nurse and has confirmed this is the case.

[Drummer20]

The dentists do sometimes give antibiotics to people with valve problems depending on what procedure they are doing.

When the valve has been replaced they definitely give them.

[Leonardo1]

hi - I had AvR and have to have antibiotics before dental treatment - my dentist wrote to my Gp to confirm this and my GP wrote to the royal Brompton to confirm it. I had root canal and periodontal treatment . All agreed antibiotics were needed one hour before any invasive dental treatment.

Not necessary though for a check up .

Hope that helps .

Ch

[Miriam123]

It used to be standard protocol to have antibiotics prior to dental procedures (indeed all surgical ops) but I think that changed when health authorities realized that over use of antibiotics was causing some of the increase of MRSI and C difficile infections. I think you are right to insist on getting the antibiotics.

[Qualipop]

I recently had to have a tooth extracted and I asked my dentist about antibiotics. He said the advice now is that it's not necessary unless you have a valve problem.

[fishonabike]

not something i have experienced, but there are official (NICE) guidelines on the prophylactic use of antibiotics - your dentist has to apply these whether or not they like you!

nice.org.uk/guidance/cg64/c...

[Peter-l-h]

Ist visit to dentist after new aortic valve. Gave me forms for cardiologist to set up a connection in case required. Fairly recent so not used yet ? PH

[Exie8]

Current guidance states quite clearly that anyone with a valve replacement should have antibiotic prophylaxis before dental treatment including routine hygienist treatment. My husband who has two replacement valves gets a prescription for Amoxycillin 3G from his dentist which he takes an hour before his quarterly visit to the hygienist and gets a new prescription at that visit for next time! This is especially important if you haven't had regular check ups/hygienist appointments for several years. Refer your dentist to NICE guidelines.

[3MSF]

Hi Yumz - I had a bicuspid aortic valve replaced and was told (and hand delivered a letter containing same to my dentist) that I needed an 'antibiotic bomb' an hour before any 'below the gum-line treatments. This is because of the risk of dental bacteria causing endocarditis (I think it was endocarditis..) as the valves seem to be their target and they are quite vulnerable, hence the preventive measure of the antibiotics up-front. Dental hygiene has always been important to me, but now it's a real essential of mine, almost at a level of OCD, but that's a good thing when it matters that much.

Keep smiling (with those beautifully maintained pearly whites!) - Mark 😀👍🙏

[Yumz199725 in reply to 3MSF]

Aw thanks Mark! 😊

Mine was repaired not replaced so would that change the rules for needing antibiotics?

[3MSF]

Not sure in all honesty, but I bet you’ll get plenty of kind folk chipping in who do…🙂👍🙏

[Yumz199725 in reply to 3MSF]

Yeah it's fine don't worry. I have emailed my cardiac team to ask them cause in all honesty I just don't know and I don't want to take that risk if I do need them. I really don't want endocarditis I don't think I would come back from that 😕.

[bluedolphin2]

When I was younger I had to have antibiotics before having treatment, but I don't think it apply now, best to ask your consultant before having treatment or the heart nurses.x

But as I have hypertension/ heart conditions/ other medical conditions I think I would be probably have any teeth taken out in hospital ( that if I ever find an NHS dentist?!)

[Yumz199725 in reply to bluedolphin2]

Aw I know what's like took ages to get into a dentist cause for a while there weren't taking NHS patients so glad they are now. Yeah I did contact my cardiac team and a GUCH nurse contacted me and told me that I don't because I haven't had my valve replaced yet. Really hope you can get into a dentist have you thought about getting your cardiologist to write a letter to them cause its very important for us to get out teeth checked. Take care.

[bluedolphin2 in reply to Yumz199725]

Good idea, thanks x🌷

[Lionheart83]

in desperate need of a dentist no nhs or private taking on teeth major problem for me having aorta replacement considering setting up a go fund me page to have all teeth removed and eventually getting some grandad teeth In replace .. but would raise the money I got and double it from the fund me page by doing charity work and donate it all to heart foundation…just can not think of anything else …please help if anyone knows anything on getting a dentist or just a one of visit for a good clean