Some heart patients need antibiotics before undergoing any dental procedure. The medication can prevent a life threatening infection that often begins with bleeding gum tissue. Which medical conditions make you most susceptible to the infection? Dr. Linda Niessen has answers in today’s Dental Health Check.

Two years ago, Charity Sparks was diagnosed with a heart valve problem called mitral valve prolapse with regurgitation.

“A valve that didn’t open and close like it was supposed to. We still don’t know if this was something I’ve had and just never caught,” said Charity.

Before having her teeth cleaned or any dental procedure where gum tissue may bleed, Charity takes an antibiotic one hour before the appointment. The fear is that bacteria in the mouth will migrate to the heart and cause a life threatening infection. 

“So if we load the system, the blood stream, with a lot of antibiotics, it’ll prevent the forming of a colony on your heart. It’ll stop that," said dentist Dr. Mike Abernathy.

But many dental patients may be prescribed unnecessary antibiotics.

In most cases, you DO NOT need them if you have had bypass surgery, a pacemaker or defibrillator, or have abenign Heart murmur.

Dr. Abernathty added, “And now they’ve changed the regimen and certain people are not included and we’re trying to stay on top of it and keep the patient safe is the bottom line.”

If you’ve had a joint replacement such as a hip or knee, you may need to take antibiotics before dental treatment for at least 2 years after your joint surgery. Both your dentist and physician can advise you. For Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A & M System, I’m Dr. Linda Niessen, Channel 8 News.