Dental Pre-meds question

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Gnusgal

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So, I've always needed to be pre-medicated prior to any dental appts. But I have a question. What if I'm already on antibiotics? Do I need to take more?

I started on antibiotics (omnicef) on Thursday because I started to get sick. But on Friday I started to get this white spot on my gums and now it's REALLY painful. I want to call tomorrow morning and see if I can get in to see the dentist. So do I need to get them to call in more antibiotics if I'm already on one?

Thanks in advance.
 
Niki,

You should call your cardiologist because the antibiotic you are on might not be indicated for dental situations. Only some antibiotics work to prevent dental type infections.

If the one you are on is approved for dental work you should probably not need additional or, at the most, perhaps an additional dose just to increase the level right before the procedure.

However, this is not a medical opinion, just my limited knowledge.
 
Heh ... don't think I've ever run into that type of situation, Niki. Interesting.

I echo Gina's post, tho. Based on my limited knowledge, in order to not have to take more antibiotics, the one you are on would have to be approved/indicated for dental procedures. I would also think that the dosage itself might be of concern/determination.

Sorry this isn't more helpful :(. And, sorry about your sore ... hope it turns out well for you. Thoughts/prayers coming your way.



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I concur. But actually, I would ask the dentist which antibiotic is the one you need prescribed for your particular problem. Do not assume that the one you are on is enough, or the proper one. Call the dentist back and ask him. He should know.

Good luck!!

Marguerite
 
To add to the problem, this will be my first time to go to this dentist. When my hubby got his job in June he signed up for dental insurance and had to choose a primary dentist. The one we'd been going to wasn't on the list, so we had to just randomly choose. Hubby went to this one about two months ago, but they've never dealt with me. Hopefully it won't be a hassle.

Thanks, everyone.
 
Hi! We were just in that situation last month! Andrew was on amox for a strep infection when his dental cleaning appt. came up. I called the cardio and he said he did not have to take his usual amox mega-dose prior to the appt., just to continue with the normal course of amox for the strep and he would be covered. But he was on what he normally takes, so I don't know if your situation would be the same with omnicef. Good luck, hope all goes well with your appt.
 
Have run this course before Niki. Was informed to make certain I would take an antibiotic from a different class. So if you are on say Cipro....you still take you usual amox. If you are on amox....there is another type that will cover your dental proceedures. Can't recall what they gave me?
 
Well, I ended up not going to the dentist. I showed the spot to the school nurse at work and she said it looked like just your run-of-the-mill canker sore and to let it heal itself. In the mean time it hurts like the dickens! I got some of that numbing gel to put on it, but it mostly turns my tongue numb and the sore stays tender... Oh, well. Hopefully it won't take too teribly long to heal. It's hart do chew or talk with this thing...

Thanks all!
 
I know you're not now going down this route, but thought I'd add a comment.
The dosage of antibiotic is likely to be considerably higher when used as a single dental prophylactic than when used as a course for general infections.
My prophylactic dose is 3 grams, versus something like 250 or 500 mg for general use.
I would be cautious in this area - I'm guessing that it would not be a problem to take a single heavy dose whilst on a general course. Always best to ask your dentist and/or your cardiologist.
 
I asked if I could take Antibiotics to get a tattoo, but the Dr. told me that skin bacteria is different from mouth bacteria so it might be effective. So the antibiotics you are on might be for certain infections. So you should contact your caridologist.
 
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