Listen!

Have you listened to Dr. Vander Vliet on WRNJ? He does a radio interview every other Friday morning at 8:15am. WRNJ can be heard at 92.7FM, 104.7FM or 1510AM.

On Friday, January 20th, the topic will be "Why some patients need dental premedication prior to treatment". Here are some of the highlights!

Why do some patients need premedication with antibiotics before dental procedures?
**There are over 100 million bacteria in each large drop of saliva.

**There are over 600 species of bacteria in the mouth, living in a delicate balance.

**Only 40 of these bacteria are harmful.

**Bacteria in the mouth can enter the bloodstream after dental procedures, especially cleanings.

**Not a problem for healthy individuals.

**Patients with heart defects or artificial valves require premedication with antibiotics – usually one hour before their dental visit – to prevent SUBACUTE
BACTERIAL ENDOCARDITIS which is a heart infection.

**This is a change from the American Heart Association recommendations relaxing the requirement due to the fact that there is more of a risk by taking the antibiotics, eg: allergic reaction and an increase in resistant strains of bacteria.

**The American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons in 2009 recommends that all patients with joint replacements be covered with antibiotics to prevent prosthesis infection.