Dental Issue

[skigirl]

There is so much conflicting information about the dentist and the need to take antibiotics.

In two weeks, I am going to have my braces removed---I assume that I don't need antibiotics for that---but I am supposed to have my teeth cleaned next week---should I cancel and then have them cleaned in a month or so when I won't need antibiotics?

Some people seem to think that you need them for life---but that sounds silly for a teeth cleaning. I would ask my os, but I hate his office--since I will only see him one more time, I am not going to think of him as a reference for me.

 

[calling_all_angels]

Have you told your Dentist about your TKR yet??? My Os said just to call his office and he will tell the drug store what to give me. But you denttist will know what to do too.
They have info on all of this

 

[ship4]

Skigirl,
My dentist required I take the antibiotic as a precaution. It is only 4 Amoxicillian taken an hour before the appointment. It covers the possibility of infection traveling from your mouth through the blood stream to the knee joint which is a foreign object and will hide the bacteria on the implant. It is a case of being better safe than sorry.
Each time I have been to the dentist I take the antibiotic. No big deal. If your mouth will bleed at all with the removal of braces (say one of the wires pops and cuts your gum or cheek), I would take the antibiotic.
Best,

 

[loggon]

Skigirl
Talk to your dentist. It is only 4 pills just before the appt. Really no big deal, but it could safe an infection.

Let him tell you if you need to re-set an appt.

When was your tkr?

 

[Texas]

i dont think we need them for the rest of your life either. but yes let them know. they will know what to do....Good luck...I agree lot of things out there are very confusing...I guess its just a learning process right !!!!!

 

[Brian]

Here in the UK both my surgeon and dentist said anti-biotics were not necessary for knee replacement patients when having dental treatment and my dentist showed me government guidance (NICE) to that effect.

I would be interested to hear what other UK patients have been told.

 

[Judles]

I AM taking the antibiotics for the rest of my life! I mean.....in the greater scheme of things....what is the big deal???? Why even risk the possibility of "what if????". It's ALWAYS better to be safe than sorry in MY book! Isn't it just better having peace of mind? Studies seem to always conflict so I'm being proactive!!

 

[Texas]

But my Dr wont give antibiotics for anything.....I dont know why. I havent taken them in a long long time. I am like that to, take precautions...Last week I had (sorry) that green when I blew my nose, stuffed up, sore throat lil fever (sinsus infections alot here) I felt terrible....he wouldnt give an antibiotic......sure would make it go away faster....

 

[Judles]

Kim! I'm NOT a big proponent of meds,,, But I don't understand why your doc won't prescribe antibiotics,,,, You have a foreign part in your body! Dental work CAN dump bacteria into your blood stream! Why risk it? Your dentist can also prescribe the antibiotics if you have to go that route!!!,

 

[Texas]

Yeah thats true about the dentist kinds forgot that one...I just wish I had them for this I hat being sick...But it will go away in time..............right !!! Time, Time Time...ugh...lol

 

[loggon]

I am with you Judles. I am not going to risk any infection.

KIM You need to discuss that with your doctor. You need antibiotics for a sinus infection like you had and you will need them for vrs procedures because of the knee. If he want do it you may want to find another doc. That just does not make since.

 

[Judles]

Right on, Pat!! I don't nderstand some of these doctors at all! Hope you are inside and CCCOOOOOL today!!

 

[loggon]

Yes I am inside and cool. Keep A/C at about 69 to 70 and it is 98 out and going up.

 

[Jamie]

Kim, probably the reason your doc won't prescribe antibiotics for your current problems is that it is a viral infection and not a bacterial one. Huge difference even though many of the symptoms are the same. Antibiotics don't work on viruses and that's what most of us get that result in colds, sneezing, fever, etc. like you have. The fact that many doctors have given people antibiotics for viral infections in the past just cuz the person asked for them is at least part of the reason why we have antibiotic resistant bacteria in greater numbers these days. Sorry, but sometimes the real answer IS time, rest, fluids.

 

[Jamie]

Skigirl, You need to contact your dentist and explain your recent surgery. More than likely they will want you to take a preventive dose (4 tablets 1 hour before your appointment) for up to 2 years after your surgery. The mouth is loaded with bacteria. When your gums bleed during a procedure like cleaning teeth, those bacteria can get into your bloodstream just like Crystal explained. This is NOT a good thing for a person with a new joint.

 

[backbay38]

I took a filled prescription of antibiotics with me to Prague --just in case I need emergency dental work. I just called up my regular interist and his office called in a prescription to the drug store. Said lots of their patients do the same when they travel outside the US. It's just Amoxxicillin (sp); luckily I'm not allergic to any antibiotic I know of (which isn't an extensive experience). If I don't need them here I'll use them when I get back to get my teeth cleaned; my surgeon is very big on infection prevention and right now at least he says "for life". Of course as medical knowledge changes, that may change too; I certainly hope so but he's given me such a wonderful knee I certainly don't want to screw it up because I didn't take a few (ugh) antibiotics!!!

 

[Josephine]

Brian, can you let me have the ID of that NICE article. I can't seem to find in the NICE website.
Thanks

 

[skigirl]

So far, I have only told a few people about the TKA----I don't want a lot of people knowing about my surgery. I have no intention of telling my dentist. did tell my Internist---after making sure she will not tell anyone else.

I have only told two friends and no one is allowed to talk to me about knee surgery. I refuse to discuss it with anyone---that is why this board is so helpful to me. I will not allow people to feel sorry for me or for my knee to be a topic in the ski school locker room.

I called my Internist and she said that I could take Clindamyacin--I am allergic to Amoxicillin. She said that she does not think it is a good idea---too many antibiotic bugs showing up. She said maybe for the first time---but, I moved the appt to two months from now and that takes care of that. I don't think the braces will be a problem---so far, I have never seen any blood with the many adjustments, etc. I am interested the the UK does not see the need for them at all; I think that is the way we are moving in this country too, but you are right--it is all so confusing.

 

[Josephine]

Your dentist should know, skigirl. He/she would be deficient in their care of you if the don't have your full history.

 

[marennorge]

My OS at NE Baptist Hospital says take the 4 amoxicillin an hour before the dentist appt for the REST of your life. It's cheap insurance. If I need more, just call his office and they will call them in to the pharmacy.