Are Antibiotics from Your Coral Springs Dentist Necessary?
Are Antibiotics from Your Coral Springs Dentist Necessary?
So, you have gone to your Coral Springs dentist and it has been determined that you need a procedure. Why were you given antibiotics first? This is a situation that happens often to patients and typically the medication is given as a precautionary measure. However, if you have had certain heart diseases, you will be given the antibiotics for sure. When you have a basic procedure such as a root canal or a tooth extraction don’t be surprised if you are given a course of antibiotics before the procedure takes place.
Discuss with Your Coral Springs Dentist Any Health Issues You Have.
When you have a tooth infection, procedures such as a root canal may allow bacteria from the area to enter your bloodstream. These bacteria can get into your heart valves and the lining of your heart and will cause inflammation. When this happens, it is called infective endocarditis and can cause severe medical problems. Typically, your dentist will review with you your past medical procedures and any diagnosis that you may have. Also, which medications will also be discussed with you before treatment takes place. You may think that a heart issue would have nothing to do with having dental work performed, but anyone with cardiac conditions, a dose of antibiotics before the procedure is recommended. Now if you have no known cardiac issues and your Coral Springs dentist has recommended that you take a course of antibiotics, don’t be nervous to ask why. If you have an abscessed tooth or a periapical abscess the infection will not go away on its own and can spread to your jaw, head, or neck. When you see your dentist for an abscess, he will be able to determine the severity of the infection to know if a dose of antibiotics will be needed before the procedure.
There are several instances where antibiotic treatment will be necessary. These procedures can include:
• Periodontal surgery which is gum surgery
• Subgingival procedure
• Scaling and root planning
• Periodontal probing
• Placement of dental implants
• Dental Extractions
• Root canal
• Dental cleaning before the placement of implants
There are also a few health conditions that will most likely require an antibiotic course before the dental work can be performed. These conditions are typically required of those patients that may have a weakened immune system due to:
• Heart conditions
• Previous cases of infective endocarditis (discussed above)
• Cardiac transplants
• HIV
• Sickle Cell Anemia
• Lupus Erythematosus
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Poorly controlled diabetes type 1
• Organ transplant
• Prosthetic joint replacement
• Facial cellulitis
Cellulitis is not often thought of as a condition in your face. When most people think of cellulitis they think of swelling in the legs and feet. However, facial cellulitis is a serious condition caused by tooth decay or cracks in the tooth. If you have tooth decay and it is left untreated it can lead to necrosis. The necrotic pulp tissue then causes infection in the jaw bone and around the root. Cellulitis is typically considered a dental emergency because the infection can spread to the tissue of your head and neck. If you are experiencing tender lymph nodes, a fever, painful chewing, and red swelling marks on your face and or neck, these are signs of facial cellulitis and you need to contact your dentist right away. If you start to experience this overnight or on a weekend when dental treatment can’t be performed, then it is important that you go to the emergency room at your local hospital. Severe cellulitis can obstruct your airway and in turn, lead to difficulty in swallowing and breathing.
Become A New Patient at Our Dental Office in Coral Springs.
It is always important that our patients have the knowledge that they need to have to continue on with great oral health! Oral health is not only about having white teeth and a nice smile. Negative oral health conditions have a major impact on your overall health and can lead to other conditions that could have been prevented with proper care and treatment. When you become a patient in our Coral Springs dental office, know that we offer a high standard of excellence and commitment to our patients. We make healthcare a top priority at affordable prices. In our office, we incorporate modern dentistry with a caring professional staff so that you can be comfortable when you need a procedure or just a cleaning. Our dental office in Coral Springs offers the services of, teeth cleaning and prevention, cosmetic dentistry, restorations, periodontics, endodontics, orthodontics, oral surgery and laser dentistry. If you are looking for a new dentist or maybe you have not been to the dentist for a while, we are here for you! We treat all ages and offer financial services so that you can afford your important dental care. With our financial and payment options we work with your budget. Ask us about Care Credit® which is a financing program that offers you extended payment plans for your care. Care Credit ® is a healthcare credit card with a credit line that you can use for treatments and procedures for your entire family. We also accept most dental insurance programs including many PPO’s and will be more than happy to help you to submit your dental insurance forms to make sure that you get the most from your benefits. Also, if you require major dental work we can come up with a complete payment plan which will be designed with an appropriate payment schedule. Call us today and get your oral health on track!
