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Antibiotics and dental surgery….do I agree with taking AB’s preventatively? Part 1 of 2


Robyn Openshaw - Aug 12, 2012 - This Post May Contain Affiliate Links


Dear GreenSmoothieGirl:

I think you are pretty conservative and avoid antibiotics, but I had an interesting experience recently in my dental practice that I want to share with you.  You influence a lot of people to make better choices for their health, and if you agree with me and my position as a health care provider and trying to do what is in the best interest of my patients, maybe you can pass this on to your readers.

The AAOS (american academy of orthopaedic surgeons) currently recommends that persons who have had total joint replacementsshould take one dose of antibiotics one hour prior to high risk dental procedures (not a whole week of antibiotics, just one dose) to avoid bacteremias forming in the artificial joint and causing a systemic infection and possibly failure of the artificial joint.  I had a patient recently who refused to take an antibiotic before a procedure because she avoids taking antibiotics in general.

I contacted her orthopaedic surgeon, and the nurse from his office recommended the same protocol for her, and she still refused.  She walked out of my office informing me there was no way she was going to take the antibiotics and she would find another dentist who would do the work without making her take the antibiotics.  I worry about her health and the risks she is taking.  I also worry about the dentist she finds to treat her without following the standards of care, as his license may be in jeopardy for treating her this way if complications were to arise anytime down the road.

I try to avoid antibiotics whenever I can for myself, but there are times when it may be worth the major complications which could arise.  I am not willing to put my license and my career on the line to treat someone who refuses to follow the written protocols and standards of care for surgeries which they have had done in the past, which now place them in a higher risk category.  I don’t know if you understand what I am saying here, but let me know if you agree or disagree with me.

Sincerely,

Dr. G.L.

Posted in: Dental Health, Preventive Care

5 thoughts on “Antibiotics and dental surgery….do I agree with taking AB’s preventatively? Part 1 of 2”

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  1. Anonymous says:

    It sounds like the dentist is describing me — the patient who refuses antibiotics and even had a sign a waiver that I refused to take any when I had massive dental work done. I go with natural always. Does this dentist realize that garlic is a natural antibiotic with NO side effects. My hubby had antibiotics after his dental extraction a few years back. He was deathly sick that caused many other problems and protocols for about 18 months or more later.

    Doctors, including dentists, are not educated enough and hardly in nutrition. I wish more would be so that the holistic dentists or biological dentists would be AFFORDABLE to all. Not a limited few. All drugs have side effects per Dr. Lorraine Day. I believe her too.

  2. Garlic is a wonderful antibiotic, but I pity the dentist who has to work on you after you’ve been munching garlic cloves… lol…
    also: Echinacia, Colloidal Silver, Pau D’Arco, Manuka Honey

  3. Anonymous says:

    We need to keep in mind that justbecaus something is “natural” does not mean that it does not have side effects or unintended adverse reactions. Anything that is taken and produces a change, good or bad, is a side effect. Please see: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/garlic-000245.htm

    I have been a dental hygienist for 25 years, and also an RN. Patients have to right to refuse any form of treatment or medications, but those who hold a license are required to practice standards of care. They should refuse to procede treatment when patients are non-compliant.

  4. This is a tough one. I am very skeptical about most allopathic docs and their Rxs- and have avoided antibiotics for my entire adult life. I’m the first one to use Thieves oil, colloidal silver, astragalus, etc. That said, everything has its place. A friend’s 57 year old husband had 5 teeth extracted at once, which in itself was insane, and a poor choice by the dentist, he also did not take antibiotics- when my friend woke up the next morning, after her husband’s dental work, he was lying dead, right next to her.
    I fully acknowledge dogma can be very dangerous…
    Be open to other perspectives and possibilities.

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