Dental work and PaceMaker

Last time I had dental work (cavities) my dentist prescribed anti-biotics when I told him I have a pacemaker and cardiac issues. Now I need more work and my dentist has retired, his replacement knows nothing about it, my cardiologist knows nothing about it. If anyone can chime in it would be much appreciated.

 

5 Comments

old advice

by Tracey_E - 2017-03-03 19:41:38

Unless you have an artificial valve, both AMA and ADA dropped the recommendation for pretreating with antibiotics a good ten years ago. If you look on either site you'll see a list of recommended condtions. Pacemakers are not on the list. 

No need !

by IAN MC - 2017-03-03 19:47:10

There is absolutely no reason to be given antibiotics by a dentist because you have a pacemaker.

Dentists worldwide have been overusing antibiotics for many years ( as have vets and farmers ) and this is one of the reasons that many bacteria are now resistant to them.

If you have artificial heart-valves you may be able to justify their usage but this is not really proven. 

So lie back ,antibiotic-free,  and think of something pleasant while the dentist tortures you.

Cheers

Ian

Local anesthetic

by Hamsquatch - 2017-03-03 20:57:22

Thanks for the advice, I also forgot to ask with a PM is local anesthetic okay? 

local

by Tracey_E - 2017-03-04 10:40:48

yes, it's fine

My experience

by dak - 2017-03-04 15:04:16

All dentists I have had want a doctors excuse regarding antibiotic need...My orthopedist required antibiotics for all dental visits after I had 2 total knee replacements for 2 years following.  Now with heart ablations and pacemaker..my cardiologist excuse said no antibiotics needed for dental work.

 

 

 

 

You know you're wired when...

The dog’s invisible fence prevents you from leaving the backyard.

Member Quotes

In fact after the final "tweaks" of my pacemaker programming at the one year check up it is working so well that I forget I have it.