Posted , 20 users are following.
Hi All
Im having my first dental check up on Friday since my op in Sept 2019. will i need to inform the dentist about the op or is it just when you have fillings etc? Im in the UK
John
0 likes, 21 replies
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kelly99515 Osca31
Edited
Hi John,
I am in the U.S. but my surgeon made it very clear to me that I have to take antibiotics an hour before going to the dentist for ANY procedure - even just a routine cleaning. You may want to reach back out to your surgeon, or call your dentist ahead of time and ask them.
eabill Osca31
Posted
y understanding is you have to get a antibiotic before your cleaning or what ever is done. Contact your surgeon and they will prescribe it. Bill in WNY of the USA. That is western tax land of New York State.
Dana07 Osca31
Posted
Kelly, how long after THR did your doctor say to take antibiotics when you go to the dentist?
kelly99515 Dana07
Posted
Honestly, my surgeon told me forever - just as a precaution and I'm only 38. So I plan on just making it routine for every 6 month appointment. He is probably being over cautious but I'm okay with that. My dentist has offered to call the prescription in to my pharmacy before my appointments as well.
jo25557 Osca31
Posted
I'm confused. It's now 12 weeks since my op, and I thought it would be OK after 3 months. Are you saying you should take antibiotics before any dental visit forever now? I've been given conflicting advise. I'm in the UK.
Ellenthevegan jo25557
Posted
It depends on your surgeon. Most surgeons here in the US state 2 years post op prior to all dental procedures. Some surgeons say after two years your are okay. I would check with the surgeon. The recommended does here is 2 grams of Amoxicillin one hour prior to appointment even a cleaning.
damaris.m Osca31
Posted
hi
i am in the uk and was told that i do not need antibiotics unless having treatment such as root canal
my dentist also confirmed this when i went for a check up
ask your dentist to be sure
Mary
teri13771 Osca31
Posted
just be careful I had a tooth out 2 months after op I told dentist what surgeon said and he said rubbish took it out and I had an infection in my hip after causing muscle damage x
vickie1976 Osca31
Posted
I am due for a check up at 9wks pre op and nothing was said to me about antibiotics.
I also asked my dentist receptionist about this and she checked with dentist about the visit and he said if you need a alot of work we would discuss before hand, but for hygienist and fillings everything is fine.
cecelia96750 Osca31
Posted
Hi John I saw a new dentist a few days ago. i had exam and x rays. Then DDS said that since i had a hip replacement 18 months ago, i had to take antiobotics an hour before beginning bridgework?? i was surprised! He gave me a prescription. i saw a different dentist a few months ago, and she filled a cavity, did a cleaning and teeth whitening and no antibiotic. I appreciate this new DDS who is aware of the protocol and proceeds with proper caution. So even after 18 months ............
GBP54470 Osca31
Posted
I would just give your dental practice a ring and put them in the picture that you have recently had surgery, also take in mind that you've got to get in and out of the dentists chair, if it's only a check up I'd put it back for 6 months, it's not worth the pain
getting there and back home.
hope this helps you
mary18836 Osca31
Posted
I've had to take antibiotics before every teeth cleaning since my first knee replacement. Doc said I would always need to do this because the artificial joints attract bacteria. After my hip replacement, a few months later I developed a nasty infection in the hip. Had to have the implant removed, and a temporary spacer put in. Had to have a PICC line and did 8 weeks of daily IV antibiotics. That was almost 20 months ago. Doc has just now decided it is safe to have the hip redone. That is an unusually long time, but it was a very bad infection. I have always taken the antibiotics before going to dentist; the dentist insists on it, too. That's the first question they ask when I come in. No one knows how I got the infection; the doctor had never seen it in his practice. A bacteria called Serratia.
mary18836
Posted
I posted a longer reply to Osca31, but only part of the first sentence showed up. The first thing my dentist asks when I come in, is if I've taken my antibiotics. Please take them. I had a very bad infection a few months after my THR, and had to have it removed. Had to have temporary spacer put in, and do IV antibiotics for 8 weeks. Have had spacer for 20 months; will be having surgery soon to put in permanent implant, and do IV antibiotics again. We don't know how I got the infection; no one else in the hospital had this type of bacteria (Serratia).
maggie93798 Osca31
Posted
you need to mention it to your dentist.
but
In the UK the latest advise is that antibiotics are not generally needed for dental checkups or treatment post THR . This follows the national guidelines. However there are always exceptions to every rule and that is why you need to discuss with the dentist
The current thinking is that the transient bacteraemia caused by bleeding in dental treatment can and is dealt with very easily by an immunocompetent person. Underlying heath issues or very complex prolonged treatment may necessitate the use of antibiotics on an individual decision basis
ptolemy Osca31
Posted
I would ask your dentist for their opinion.