“I’ve been taking an antibiotic an hour before my dental procedures for years and now all of a sudden i’ve been told that i don’t need to take it anymore……..why?
This is a typical question that we get asked from patients who were used to taking precautionary antibiotics.
Dentistry like other professions is constantly evolving therefore procedures and techniques change overtime depending on research and findings from governing bodies, such as The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).
NICE set out new recommendations stating that “In the past, people at risk of infective endocarditis (infection in which the lining of the heart becomes inflamed) have been offered antibiotics when they have certain dental procedures. NICE is recommending a change in practice, so now you should only be offered antibiotics if the procedure is at a site where there is suspected infection. This is because dental procedures are no longer thought to be the main cause of endocarditis, and taking antibiotics carries its own risks.”
Should you have any worries or concerns regarding this information please do not hesitate to contact the practice.
Also you may consult your GP or hospital consultant as some situations may require you to continue taking antibiotic cover based on their advice.
Reducing the intake of antibiotics when not nescesary reduces the higher incidence of serious allergy reactions and antibiotic drug resistance.
Tags: antibiotics, heart, infection, NICE
