Hello friends,I have 3 mild leaky valves and will be having minor gum surgery to clean underneath my gums as I have gum disease. The surgery is tomorrow. I have to take 4 amoxillin antibiotics tablets an hour before the surgery to prevent infection from my gum going through my body. Because I have heart problems I was told that I had to take the antibiotics to minimize infection also affecting my heart.
I dont like the idea of taking 4 antibiotics at one time . I feel nervous about this but at the same time I don't want any systemic infection. Anyone been through this situation?
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Mariathas
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I have not been in exactly your position, but I understand that gum disease can affect the heart. If I were you, I would take the antibiotics, but make sure the surgeons knew about them. If you are not allergic to the penicillin family, there should be no problem.
Hi, Blood borne infections caused by oral issues are one of the biggest concerns for someone with valvular problems, so I'd be concerned if you weren't taking antibiotics beforehand. Good to see your dentist is on the ball.
As someone who had two new valves severley damaged by Endocarditis, albeit, contracted by other means, you need to remove all potential risks.
Hi I think your consultant will want you to take them but check with him I had years of needing antibiotics before dental treatment and it is a large dose you need heart troubles leave you wide open to infections and echocarditis so antibiotics are essential
hi. I had a huge battle with my dentist to get antibiotics before treatment. My cardiologist wrote to my dentist and said they were essential and that it would be remiss if she didn’t prescribe them. I speak as someone who has had 2 mechanical heart valves and endocarditis. Please don’t take any chances. X
Morning, I had what’s called a deep clean before my open heart surgery ( replacement aortic valve and bypass) had the antibiotics and no problems. Since then which was 7 years ago had an abscess under a tooth so high dose of antibiotics, they worry about infection going to the heart.
If you’re concerned phone your cardiologist run it past them.
I have a mechanical heart valve and learnt about the need for antibiotics prior to dental treatment from this forum! I was due to have some dental treatment so discussed the need with my dentist. She was reluctant to prescribe due to the high dose. I had to contact my cardiologist who sent the NICE guidelines and then a specific letter before I got the prescription. A lot of effort from me but I wouldn't want to have gone without the antibiotics due to the risks of endocarditis. As luck would have it, the procedure was cancelled the day before due to the dentist going off sick - as there is no other NHS dentist at the practice I am still waiting.....
I had a heart stent in 2021 and a mild to moderate leaky aortic valve.
I’ve been having dental treatment i.e. filling and root canal treatment. I didn’t know and haven’t ever been told I’d need antibiotics before dental treatment.
Should I be asking for this? Have one more filling to go.
The dentist is aware of my heart conditions and hasn’t ever mentioned it. My cardiologist hasn’t ever mentioned it either. This is the first time I’ve heard of it.
You should definitely have amoxcillin or a similar if your allergic to amoxcillin , contact your doctor for a prescription, I was told risk of endocarditis for anyone with heart problems, my pharmacist made me aware that I needed them , however your dentist should have joined the dots, please don't proceed until you sort out the meds ! Good luck
Yes. I have had mitral valve issues due to endocarditis infection from an abscess. I have had to take antibiotics prior to any invasive dental treatment. I think it's best to follow the cardiologists advice and try not to worry.
I have a mechanical mitral valve and today I'm due my annual dental check-up. One hour before I will take 3 MGs of amoxycillin in powder form to protect me from the bacteria which are dangerous for my heart, which enter my body orally! You must be scrupulous with your dental hygiene on a daily basis.
Be very thankful that you have a dentist who appreciates the dangers of performing a procedure that can cause Endocarditis and has prescribed antibiotics, many dentists don't and have put their patients in extreme danger.
You might not like the idea of taking the antibiotics but you will dislike Endocarditis a whole lot more.
Take the antibiotics, they might just save your life.
If anybody with a heart condition is in doubt follow the links below.
I have links to other documents which all say the same thing, take antibiotics if you are at high risk. You shouldn't have to go chasing around getting documents or letters from your Cardiologist, I wouldn't trust any dentist who isn't aware of this basic information.
To anyone else reading this, if your dentist refuses to give antibiotics to someone high risk, walk away and find a dentist who will.
Some people do have problems with toothpaste containing Limonene or/and Linalool. Also contained in some soaps and many other products.
SYMPTOMS: Symptoms of exposure to this compound may include irritation and sensitisation of the skin. It may also cause eye irritation and damage. Ingestion of large doses may lead to albuminuria and hematuria. This type of compound irritates all tissues intensely and may cause circulatory collapse.
Based on the clinical data, oxidised limonene and oxidised linalool are allergens of high concern (Table 13-5) which pose a high risk of sensitisation to the consumer. For these substances, the presence of the oxidised fraction represented by the peroxide content should not be higher than 10 ppm.
For some reason the UK still allows these substances to be used in very many products. I mentioned this as a great niece was ill for many years and only a specialist at her local hospital spotted the problem. She saw a number of doctors who failed to spot this problem and in her view were blissfully unaware.
Just wondered if anyone has read The Dental Diet? I had mild gum disease a few years back and read this to help. He talks about the importance of fermented foods and Vitamin K2 which I think someone else has posted about in relation to helping the heart.
Do have gum disease which can cause the heart problems over time, no matter what get this done might be a bit sore afterwards get some listening mouthwash to keep your gums clean afterwards and some interdental long handled brushes I use these now every day and my gums are so much better the swelling has gone right down and not so many attacks of AFIB
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