Pre-med Prior to Dental Work: New/Updated Recommendations for Patients With Joint Replacements

Updated Recommendations for Premedication Prior to Dental Work in Patients With Joint Replacements

At Dove Family Dentistry our patients' health is of the utmost importance. Recently, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) updated their recommendations regarding the need for antibiotic prophylaxis (also called pre-medication or pre-med) in patients with joint replacements prior to any procedure that might introduce bacteria into the bloodstream. Receiving dental treatment is considered to be one of the procedures that can cause bacteremia.

In the past, administration of antibiotics prior to dental work was only recommended during the first two years after surgery. Due to concerns about the possibility of infection following joint replacement, the AAOS now recommends that antibiotics be given before dental procedures no matter how long it has been since the joint replacement procedure. Antibiotics should be taken 1 hour prior to the dental procedure. These recommendations do not apply for patients with pins, screws, or other orthopaedic hardware that is not within a synovial joint.
Prior to each appointment we review your health history information to check for any changes that may have occurred since your last visit. It's important to let us know if any information needs to be updated. It is recommended that you delay routine dental work for a period of three months after receiving a joint replacement, unless you are having a dental emergency. If you have any questions regarding the need to take an antibiotic prior to your dental appointment please feel free to ask us or your physician.
To read the complete article, please visit http://www.aaos.org/about/papers/advistmt/1033.asp
Sources cited: aaos.org

GOOD ORAL HEALTH FOR YOUR CHILDREN BEGINS BEFORE THEY ARE BORN!

Many people begin thinking about their children's oral health when the first tooth appears in the mouth. However, there are many important things to consider long before that ever happens! Good oral health for your child should ideally begin in the prenatal phase with the mother's dental care. This is because the bacteria found in the mother's mouth is what most often will colonize in the child's mouth. These bacteria can dramatically impact the future health of a child's teeth and gums.

A recent article from the California Dental Association (CDA) Journal outlines the most up-to-date recommendations regarding dental care during pregnancy. The consensus is that the benefits of receiving dental care during pregnancy, even getting dental x-rays and receiving local anesthesia, far outweigh the risks. The overall goal is to reduce the amount of bacteria in the pregnant woman's mouth, and this is accomplished by getting routine professional dental care. Teeth with decay can be identified and restored, and homecare routines can be modified if necessary. Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and daily flossing will help to accomplish good plaque control and keep the bacterial levels in the mouth low. Chewing gum or using other products sweetened with xylitol 4-5 times per day and drinking fluoridated water can also work to reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth.

By following these recommendations, pregnant women can set their children up for a bright future that begins with a healthy smile!

This February, Water Pik, Inc. will donate $1 to Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children for every "Like" on Facebook until the 28th, in honor of National Children's Dental Health Month. They will donate up to $5,000. Please join Dove Family Dentistry in helping them to reach their goal!

(click on picture to go directly to their facebook page)

Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children was established in 1987 by the AAPD to support and promote education, research, service and policy development that advance the oral health of infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs. Originally named the AAPD Foundation, Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children's endowment is used to assist postdoctoral students in pediatric dentistry, support research projects and fund meaningful education programs that benefit both the profession and the public.

http://www.waterpik.com/
http://www.aapd.org/foundation/
http://www.waterpik.com/coupons/

This month at Dove Family Dentistry we will be celebrating National Children's Dental Health Month with a series of blogs. We will be discussing oral health care tips for children of all ages. For example, did you know that good oral health in children begins in the prenatal period? It's important for expectant mothers to achieve good oral health first, so that they set their children up for a good start.

At Dove Family Dentistry we welcome patients of all ages. We go the extra mile for all our patients, including kids! When a child comes to our office for the first time we do everything possible to ensure they have a positive experience, leave smiling and looking forward to their next visit with us. We make it fun right when they walk through the door- literally- with our bunny door! Kids love that it's just their size!

After choosing a new Disney characters toothbrush, they pick flavors of toothpaste and fluoride for their appointment. Kids love seeing our "squirt gun" (the water we use for rinsing) and "Mr. Thirsty" (the suction). When they are all finished, they get to pick out stickers to take home. We also send them home with a photo of their first visit at our office, to reinforce the positive experience back at home.

We invite you to check back to our blog section in the coming weeks to learn more about how you can help your child have good oral health during National Children's Dental Health Month!

By Laura, RDH
Each New Year that rings in brings with it many people who make New Year's resolutions. Love them or hate them, the tradition is here to stay! Many of us make New Year's resolutions regarding our health. Popular resolutions include exercising regularly, getting more sleep, or (my personal favorite!) flossing more. Flossing may not be the most glamorous resolution a person can make, but it's just as important as regular exercise and adequate sleep. It is estimated that 80% of adults in this country have periodontal disease.* Since it is painless, many people are unaware they have this condition. The good news is that it's never too late to start doing something about it. The trick is finding something that works for you to clean in between your teeth. Notice I didn't specifically mention flossing here! Dental floss is a great choice and I usually tell patients to aim to floss 2-3 times per week and to build on that, but it's not for everyone.

While flossing has long been considered to be the standby for cleaning in between your teeth, there are other options. One great option is the flosser. They are easy to use with one hand, and people find they are more likely to use them since they are more convenient to use. Some even have a toothpick on one end.

For those of you who can't stand to floss, I would recommend a Waterpik. The Waterpik is a sort of pressure-washer for the teeth. It has been shown to remove 99% of plaque and be twice as effective at cleaning the teeth as regular floss. One of my patients loves this product so much he purchased them for his entire family!

Another product that I recommend often is the Soft-pick. This product is like a soft-bristled toothpick. It's a nice alternative to floss because it's easy to use and gentle on the gums.

New Year's resolution or not, there is no time like the present to make the commitment to better health. One easy way to do that is by simply flossing! Not only will you reduce your risk for conditions like diabetes, heart and lung disease, and adverse birth outcomes with pregnant women*, but you will have fresher breath and keep your teeth and gums healthy as well.

We here at Dove Family Dentistry wish you all a happy and healthy 2011!

*Having good oral health is just one component of overall health. When a person neglects flossing, they are putting themselves at risk of developing periodontal (gum) disease. This is when irreversible bone loss occurs resulting from the virulent bacteria that collect between the teeth. Research has shown that periodontal disease is a risk factor for serious conditions such as heart and lung disease, diabetes, and premature and low birth weight babies. Heart disease is the leading cause of death each year.

Periodontal disease has been shown to be as good of an indicator of high cholesterol as an actual cholesterol test. Diabetics with periodontal disease have more difficulty controlling their blood sugar levels. Expectant mothers who have periodontal disease are seven times more likely to deliver low birth weight or premature babies.

www.adha.org

www.microhealth.org