Routine dental hygienist appointment at 5 weeks post op

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I was wondering if anyone has been advised not to have dental treatment too soon after hip replacement?  I've got a routine hygienist appointment...is it ok to go ahead? Any advise appreciated, thanks.

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  • Posted

    The booklet I was given by my surgeon with all sorts of info had this to say about dental work "If you have a joint implant, you may need to take antibiotics prior to any dental work done. This does not include routine cleaning. Please let your dentist know you have an implant when making the appointment." ..and "most patients may not need antibiotics for low risk dental procedures (as per Australian dental association & NZ orthopaedic association). This is because the risks of adverse reactions from antibiotics far outweigh the benefits of prophylaxis against infection".

     

  • Posted

    I was told to take 4 500mg Amoxicillian 1 hour before any dental appointment. I cancelled mine until 6 months after surgery. I'm nervous about infection. I was told I have to take antibiotics for the rest of my life before any procedure.  I also have to have a colonoscopy that's making me nervous too.
  • Posted

    My dentist had a hip replacement himself 11 years ago & he said surgeons wil cover themselves & error on the side of caution. I attended him for a dental clean & total check up 2 weeks before my op. No anti biotics required. I have no dentures or implants & only one filling for last 35 years so maybe my history helped. If you have implants or dentures maybe it's a different scenario. I'm sorry I can't give any more advice
  • Posted

    I was told not to have dental work done 1 month before surgery and one month after surgery.

    I need to take an antibiotic everytime I need to go to the dentist

     

  • Posted

    Hi again Mena,

    Not sure if the hygienist counts as "treatment" in the full sense of the word. Maybe check with your Dentist.

    I am in a similar position. I was due for a routine check-up but could not fit it in before my op. If it is just a check-up and no treatment that should be OK? 

    Also it is a good opportunity to tell them to put my new hip on my patient records at the dentist. I think we Hippies have to have anti-biotics before any dental treatment in future. Hopefully   my Dentist will be clued up on this as there are a lot of elderly patients in this practice.

    Take care

    • Posted

      Hi, I agree, don't think hygienist counts as treatment but will get in touch with my dental practice. I think I'm just being cautious as this is a 6 month rountine clean for me and I didn't think to bring it forward before op as my op was a cancellation and didn't have much time to consider such things!
    • Posted

      Hi again mena,

      Lots of differing information here but all very useful to know.

      The mouth seems to be a site where bacteria abound. I seem to have read somewhere previously that poor oral hygiene can affect our arteries etc.

      It seems we need to be extra careful and clued up about our new hips.

      As someone wisely said on another thread "respect your new hip"

      Take care,

  • Posted

    I was told to wait 6 weeks for any dental work after having surgery...and after 6 weeks to use antibiotics prophylactically prior to any procedures 

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