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DENTISTRY
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In reading all the studies that have been done, I come to the conclusion that we have to be responsible, as the patient, to make sure that all is being done to protect us from infective endocarditis. We must educate ourselves in order to look after ourselves better. (see page on antibiotic prophylaxis) |
| It has
been concluded that when patients are diagnosed with a cardiac disorder
which predisposes to infective endocarditis they should have a
dental examination as soon as possible. The dentist should be
experienced in the treatment of patients with special needs.
In the study which was done to come to the above conclusion, 81 cardiac patients "at-risk", who were all well informed and well motivated had a very high rate of periodontal disease in the group. |
| dentist awareness: 136 patients who has replacement heart valve surgery done had questionnaires sent to their dentist. 79% of the dentists responded. Two thirds of the dentists were aware that their patients had prosthetic heart valve and the vast majority believed that antibiotic prophylaxis is justified in connection with (certain) dental procedures. However only 14% prescribed antibiotics before scaling. The dosage route, frequency and duration of antibiotic administration used by more than half the dentists was not in accordance with modern principles of antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent bacterial endocarditis. Proposals for antibiotic regimens have to be linked to better education/information of the patients, doctors and dentists and should be linked to recommendations to ensure the highest of dental care in risk patients. |
| Dental Flossing in relation
to transient bacteremia. Four patients had 32 blood cultures taken,
16 before flossing and 16 after. Two of the patients had no
periodontal disease and two had only marginal gingivitis. The
results showed that the patients who flossed daily developed no
bacteremias but that patients who delayed flossing from 1 to 4 days
developed bacteremias 86% of the time. It is important that patients
at high risk be cautioned for sporadic flossing
endocarditis risk in use of dental irrigators: A study done to investigate in 100 healthy volunteers after the use of a dental irrigator, to check for incidence of bacteremia. In 39 volunteers a transient bacteremia was detected in the blood after the use of a dental irrigator. Incidence correlated with the grade of oral hygiene and periodontal disease. |