| What Is Antibiotic Prophylaxis? |
Prophylaxis means prevention of disease. For some patients with heart conditions antibiotics can reduce the risk of infection in the heart prior to certain dental treatments. For people with total joint replacements, antibiotics may be recommended to avoid infection at the joint.
We work closely with the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) whose recommendations we follow. Each organization uses ongoing research and analysis and adjustments are made that reflect new information.
For instance, antibiotics don't always prevent infection and adverse reactions to antibiotics can prove to be significant. Overuse of antibiotics can result in bacteria with greater resistance. Other daily activities relating to oral health care and maintenance occur far more frequently and can also introduce bacteria to the bloodstream.
For those with heart conditions such as artificial heart valves, a history of infective endocarditis, transplant-related problems and congenital heart conditions, we may suggest antibiotics for certain dental procedures. Check with your cardiologist if you are not sure.
It was once standard practice to give prophylactic antibiotics for mitral valve prolapse, rheumatic heart disease, bicuspid valve disease or calcified aortic stenosis, but that is no longer the case.
Please be sure to tell us if you have either a heart condition or a total joint replacement. We can advise you on the need for antibiotic prophylaxis or suggest you contact your doctor for additional clarification.
- Jake Layer, DMD
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| Toothy Tid Bits: Xylitol
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Trees are showing off their pink and white blossoms and the birds are singing – even those that can't carry a tune – full of joy that it is finally getting warmer. Seeing all of these beautiful trees reminds me of, you guessed it, xylitol. What? That's not what you think of? Well did you know that xylitol comes from the bark of a tree? Yeah, so who's the crazy one now! But I digres...
Xylitol, if you haven't heard of it yet, is pretty amazing stuff! It is a non – sugar sweetener, which is pretty cool, but that's not what makes it amazing. Unlike other non – sugar sweeteners xylitol helps prevent cavities! The bacteria see the xylitol and think, "yum, sugar!" and gobble it up, but then the "uh oh" factor happens because they realize that they can't metabolize the xylitol since it isn't actually sugar. So the bacteria frantically start breaking down their outside layer to combat the xylitol and this outside layer is what the bacteria use to attach to the teeth. Once that layer is broken down the bacteria float away into the abyss, therefore preventing decay. Host = 1, Bacteria = 0.
I could go on about this for several more pages, so if you're intrigued even the slightest bit, feel free to ask me about xylitol and xylitol products next time you're in the office. Have a blessed Spring!
- Jocelyn Codington RDH
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| Did You Know? Rainforest Remedy |
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Britain's Daily Mail reports that an Amazonian plant has the potential to provide effective pain relief for uncomfortable or painful procedures that currently call for anesthesia.
Acmella oleracea, a flowering herb with analgesic qualities, can block the pain receptors found in nerve endings and has been demonstrated to relieve pain during removal of impacted teeth and during other procedures below the gum line.
USDA approval for clinical Acmella oleracea use is unknown. Besides that, now you know! |
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