Antibiotics Before Dental Treatment
Your physician or dentist may recommend that you follow special steps at home before your dental visit to safeguard your health. These steps may include taking antibiotics before your appointment. Administration of an antibiotic prophylaxis before dental procedures is called premedication.
The American Heart Association with input from the American Dental Association released guidelines. These guidelines were developed by a group appointed by the AHA that included experts in infectious disease and cardiology and members representing the ADA. The guidelines were endorsed by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society.
There are two primary groups who may require premedication: Patients with heart conditions can be predisposed to infective endocarditis and patients who have prosthetic joints can be at risk of developing hematogenous infections at the site of the prosthesis.
Please consult your physician about premedication prior to your scheduled appointment and call us if you have questions.
