the dentist and antibiotics

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Ask Kelly Question:
I am a 55 year old women with a murmur. Should I be taking antibiotics before going to the dentist?

Ask Kelly Answer:
Guidelines for antibiotic use for dental procedures has changed. The new guidelines show taking preventive antibiotics is not necessary for most people like it had been recommended in the past. I am going to give you a copy of  links to the American Heart Association website, with a full article on the guidelines:
 
New guidelines regarding antibiotics to prevent infective ... 
 
News releases
 
Infective Endocarditis (previously referred to as bacterial ...
 
 
 
These are the people who DO need to take antibiotics as listed on the AHA website:

• those with artificial heart valves
• if you have a history of having had Infective endocarditis 
• certain specific, serious congenital (present from birth) heart conditions
• those with a cardiac transplant which develops a problem in a heart valve.

 
 
Based on the information you have told me, you do not need antibiotics before dental procedures UNLESS you fall into one of the categories bulleted above.
 
thanks for asking a question!
Kelly
 
 

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