Some patients may need to take antibiotic premedication before their dental appointment at Dentistry With A Smile, LLC. If you are unsure whether this may be the case for yours, call us at 508-672-6471 to speak to our dentist about our antibiotic premedication in Fall River, Massachusetts. Dr. Suhair Shamoon will be happy to give the best directions for your visit with us.
Patients with certain medical conditions may be instructed to take prophylactic antibiotics before certain dental procedures to decrease the risk of bacterial infection. These include heart conditions such as:
- A heart transplant
- Artificial heart valves
- Certain types of congenital heart problems — specifically if they have not been completely repaired or if the treatment involves prosthetic material
- A history of infective endocarditis
Prophylactic antibiotics are also recommended for patients who have undergone a join replacement procedure and run one or more of the following risk factors:
- A weakened immune system resulting from HIV, cancer, radiation or chemotherapy
- Type 1 diabetes or hemophilia
- A systemic inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus erythematosus
- A history of previous infection in a prosthetic joint
- Malnourishment or undernourishment
However, in the recent past, studies have shown that far less people are required to take these antibiotics than previously thought. For example, the presence of a pacemaker or defibrillator, certain heart diseases or a benign heart murmur do not necessarily mean that antibiotics need to be used. Luckily, our dentist can determine whether these antibiotics are right for you based on a quick diagnosis of your health. If you are wondering whether you should take them, do not hesitate to call our dental office and ask. We will be happy to give you the best advice that we can.
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