You may have heard that heart patients should take antibiotics before they visit the dentist. Certain procedures are routine such as dental cleaning, root canal, or tooth extraction. These routine procedures may allow bacteria from the mouth to enter the bloodstream. Rarely, these bacteria can infect the heart valves and lining of the heart, causing them to become inflamed. We refer to this inflammation as infective endocarditis (IE). IE has the potential to cause catastrophic medical problems, including heart failure and leakage of the heart valves.
Recommendations
The American Heart Association recommends that people with certain heart problems take a short-term course of antibiotics before visiting the dentist. The goal is to reduce the risk for IE, an infection of the heart’s lining or valves.
High Risk – Heart Problems That Require Antibiotics
Certain people may be more likely to have a bad reaction if they develop a heart infection after a dental visit. People with the following conditions are at the highest risk of developing IE. Preventive antibiotics are advisable before dental treatment if you have one of the following heart problems:
- A prosthetic heart valve
- Valve repair with prosthetic material
- A prior history of IE
- Unrepaired cyanotic congenital heart disease, including palliative shunts and conduits
- Completely repaired congenital heart defects with prosthetic material or device during the first six months after the procedure (whether placed by surgery or by catheter intervention)
- Repaired congenital heart disease with residual defects at the site or adjacent to the site of the prosthetic patch or prosthetic device