Antibiotics after need surgery for dentist visits

Posted , 13 users are following.

I am wondering how many of you are taking anabiotic's when you go to the dentist. I've done my research on this and have not found any positive information about having to take antibiotics. I don't want to take them because they kill all the good bacteria in your system which kills your immune system. My mother-in-law had a knee surgery several years ago and has not taken anabiotic's. She had gotten a permission from her doctor that she would not have to take them. My ortho will not give me permission to not take them. He says they are required. I'm going to try to go to my GP and see if she will give me an excuse so I don't have to take them.  I watch my diet and take natural immune support. I know you take care of your body and your immune system is up it will heal itself.

i'm just wondering what your all's opinion is. Thx

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Nancy 

    i have to take antibiotics every day for past 12 years  as a result of a spenectomy

    they only work for me on an ongoing basis due to the fact that having my spleen removed I have no immune system so the antibiotics  replace this. What you are asking is a very fair question and the simple answer is that under normal circumstances you should not take anti biotics for more than 7 days at any one given time and only to help fight off a serious problem. If taken as a precautionary on a daily basis with a normal immune system in place these drugs will undoubtably cause your immune system to fail within 3 months.

    hope my  advice is of some assistance

    best of luck

    Jude UK

     

  • Posted

    My Dr has you take them for dental appts for 2 years after surgery. It's 3 days before, the day of, and the day after your appt. i don't take antibiotics on a regular basis so I don't mind taking them twice a year. I take acidophilus with them to help maintain intestinal bacteria. I'd rather not take the chance of an infection.
  • Posted

    You only have to take 1 or 2, its not like full regimen to kill an infection. This requirement is simply a preventive. Again.....two schools of thought........some drs say absolutely and others say forget it. My surgeon and dentist mandate it. I think last time I took 3 keflex. One other time it was only one. Not enough to mess with good bacteria.
    • Posted

      Having had staph and having my prosthesis removed for 4 months I can tell you its not worth the risk of infection getting started and settling in the hardware. Total of nearly 5 months in an immobilizer and bouncing along on a walker, having the leg atrophy to the point of not being able to hold body weight isnt something you ever want to go through not to mention a 2nd surgery of having a new appliance put in. I was on 2 months of 2x's a day antibiotic infusions (massive doses). Its a bad gamble in my opinion.
    • Posted

      Thanks ofg I am probably worrying about too much. I am so against taking antibiotics when rpthere is no infection but I definitely see what your talking about. 
  • Posted

    You only have to take 1 or 2, its not like full regimen to kill an infection. This requirement is simply a preventive. Again.....two schools of thought........some drs say absolutely and others say forget it. My surgeon and dentist mandate it. I think last time I took 3 keflex. One other time it was only one. Not enough to mess with good bacteria.
  • Posted

    I am in Australia and we always take them prior to any dental cleaning. Your mouth is filthy. Added to the fact I know 3 people who have had prosthetic infections and it's not funny ..one girl lost both hips another 2 knees and a shoulder. So in my and my surgeons thoughts It's not worth the risk.

    i have 5 joints to worry about. It's the only time I ever take one so its no big deal but it's a huge deal to get an infection.

  • Posted

    I won't  have to take for dental appointments. Was talking to my gastrointestinal surgeon who said I wont need them for next year's colonoscopy or endoscopy based upon his research. Will see what OS says about that.  I'm from the US. 
  • Posted

    I was given antibiotics to take prior to each cleaning since I have had my two knee replacements.

    Two pills an hour before my cleaning appointment and one pill after.

    No big deal and gives nice peace of mind.

    Infection of ANY kind ANYWHERE is BAD.

    Easy preventative.

  • Posted

    I went to dentist for check up and hygenist for cleaning yesterday and was told it was not necessary to take antibiotics as research has shown no benifit. I'm in UK hope that helps
    • Posted

      The only trouble is , is that the higher powers change their minds about every 5 years. I've  had joints replaced for 23 years now, and the consensus changes as often as the weather, so in the mean time I will take it , it's no big deal and gives me peace of mind, next month it will,be back again to taking them, 
  • Posted

    Hi Nancy

    I asked this quetion a couple of months ago as I had a bilateral TNR this year. I live in the UK and nobody (doctor, dentist, specialist) seems to know about taking antibiotics prior to going to the dentist.  I've put of going but have now make an appt for a check-up and will discuss it with the dentist.  I personnally would rather take them before I see the hygienist.  I know I don't want anything to happen.

     

  • Posted

    Take them, you are not going to be on them long terma nd they WILL NOT upset the good bacteria in your gut.  When you see the hygienist they sometimes clean to the point your gums are exposed.  Taking the antibiotics will keep any possible infections at bay
  • Posted

    my take on it would be to take the antibiotics its not worth the risk ,im due in the next few weeks to go to the dentist for work on my teeth i will need a crown ,the antibiotics are a very short course ,im willing to take them because of infection protection .ive never had a infection after tkr but a friend of mne had and it can be very serious ,im not a fan of antibiotics either to be honest but because ive two knee replacements i will take them to be safe
  • Posted

    Nancy.... In Ontario, Canada as of a year it is no longer prescribed. I had tkr 3 month ago, will have my teeth cleaned in a couple of weeks sans antibiotics. 

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.