I had an appointment with the dental hygienist this afternoon, made months ago. Before that, I had a fitness assessment with the cardiac rehab nurse, and she knew I was going on to the dentist…it was only when the hygienist asked how I was, and I mentioned having felt better, having had a heart attack about 6 weeks ago, that I was told I couldn’t have any dental procedure, including cleaning, for at least 6 months!
Why? And why did no cardiac person mention this to me during the last 6 weeks?
What else can’t I do for 6 months?
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BlueDays24
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I’ve never heard that one and I’m a dentist. There are some heart conditions that require special precautions before/during dental treatment but that’s a new one to me.
I’ve had a mitral valve repair. I take a big dose of broad spectrum antibiotics about an hour before seeing my dentist or hygienist. It reduces the chances of endocarditis. Apparently it’s a particular issue relating to people who have or have had heart valve issues. No idea why they’ve prescribed antibiotics, unless there is a valve issue.
I was told the same thing by my hygienist although I was still able to have a dental check-up, so I called the cardiology section of the hospital that treated my MI and was informed by the nurse with whom I spoke that she'd never heard of restrictions on hygienist treatments following a heart attack.
She did however say that it may apply to people with a valve replacement/s like Asteroid says in this thread.
As it happens I've got my exercise tolerance test tomorrow and will ask the consultant cardiologist for a definitive ruling. My suspicion is that it's just dental practices being ultra cautious as a consequence of the litigious world in which we live.
I've bookmarked this post and will add what I find out tomorrow.
I had mitral valve replacement 4 years ago due to it being infected I was told this came from my teeth had plenty of check ups but no treatment my dentist said I would need antibiotics when I do
Yes my hygienist wouldn't touch me with a barge pole for 6 months after was told that the cleaning of plaque can get into blood stream and get into heart causing an infection. The hospital never mentioned this to me either. I just made another appointment for hygienist for 6 months later and all was okay.
I'm the same as others here, as I've had a valve replacement I have to take antibiotics if I have any dental treatment but not sure if it applies for a heart attack.
There's no problem with having dental treatment after a heart attack with or without stenting. I say this as a person who has a mechanical valve (and does need antibiotics prior to dental work) but also as a retired GP and wife of man who has had cardiac arrest and stenting and is also a retired GP. He has had dental cleaning pre and post stents etc. Also note what the dentist here has said. You have more risk by NOT having your teeth cleaned (dental infection or surgery later...). Ask the dental hygienist what evidence they have for avoiding cleaning in your situation, and otherwise ensure your teeth are looked after.
I attended the dentist six months post mitral valve replacement, had a routine standard teeth clean, but wasn’t offered any antibiotic cover. I presume that if I were to need a filling or similar - I would in those circumstances.
Historically pre surgery I was always given antibiotics prior to any form of invasive treatment. Then the guidance changed and antibiotic cover was withdrawn for a few years, but now I’m post valve surgery - I’ll always be a candidate. As one of the replies mentioned, I suspect it’s a lot to do with your Dentist / Hygienist being super cautious to pre-empt any potential future litigation, if there were to be an issue.
In your first post you asked "And why did no cardiac person mention this to me during the last 6 weeks?" Some hospitals offer a range of after-op advice, others (including mine) do not. Doing my own research and visiting this Forum alerted me to various potential hazards, not least of Omega 3 supplements (that need to be taken with care if one's on blood-thinners, anti-coagulants and the like), and deep massage. (A friend who was providing the latter was insistent that I buy her expensive Omega 3 capsules - I refused - so the combination might have had unfortunate results.)
Before my six-monthly visits to the dentist, they ask that I update an online form with details of recent ops and changes in medication.
same thing happened to me last week and I’m 11 weeks post double cabg. Dentist commented on how well I was looking then said she couldn’t treat if needed or clean that day my teeth until I was off my second anticoagulant medication in 12 months.
Didnt mind taking the few though. Came away surprised and a little annoyed at that.
You get all kinds of weird reactions with heart disease. I was told I couldn't fly without a "fitness to fly" certificate having been discharged by the hospital to the airport in a taxi to fly home a day after stenting. The pilot of the plane was adamant so, long story short, I was put into another taxi back to the hospital. Much head scratching ensued, along with the comment that they'd been despatching people to the airport to fly home after treatment for 35 years, and had never had a refusal to carry a patient before. I guess I'm just lucky.
Postscript was, they sent me back next day complete with a letter signed by a cardiologist to say I could fly. I was astonished to find the same aircraft and the same captain and crew waiting for me on the tarmac. It became more bizarre still when I climbed aboard to find all of the same passengers too. It turned out that after I was unboarded and despatched back to the hospital the night before, the plane went tech, so nobody went anywhere.
Just another episode in the rich life of a heart survivor.
It appears that the collective wisdom of this thread is greater than that of some dental practices because as promised, I raised the question with a consultant cardiologist yesterday. (A physiologist and cardiology nurse were also present.)
None of them could think of any reason why routine dental check-ups and hygienist visits shouldn’t be take place after an MI. Extractions for people taking blood thinning medication are a different matter as is dental treatment for people with replacement valves for whom the possibility of infection is a risk.
So, I’ll be phoning my dentist later today to try to rebook my cancelled August hygienist appointment.
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