Why do you have to tell your Dentist about a heart murmur?!


Question:

Why do you have to tell your Dentist about a heart murmur?

I found out when I was 20 (last year) that I have a heart murmur. Thats the first I have heard of that in my entire life...

Well, the Dr. told me to be sure to tell my Dentist that I have one.
Why is that?

Additional Details

3 days ago
My Dr. never told me WHY i would have to tell the dentist, nor did she say anything about needing medication before hand.

I have been going to the Dentist all my life, and never had any problems, and they just suddenly found this murmur at a dr. visit when I switched to a new dr.

I made my appointment for tomorrow morning, and have no antibiotics.


Answers:

Up until recently....June of 2007, the ADA, AHA, and AMA said we needed to give antibiotics to patients with heart murmurs before dental procedures which caused bleeding. This has been a prophylactic procedure since the mid 60's. As of June, new studies have shown that this does not need to be done as the risk of getting bacterial endocarditis is less than having a reaction to the antibiotic. Please talk to your dentist regarding the new outlines for this as you probably do not need to take the antibiotics before your apt.




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