Dil (heart): prophylaxis (antibiotic and cleaning)

 Some systemic heart diseases can be indicated by the health of your gums.

When a patient walks in, you can’t just start cleaning immediately. You need to have a conversation and build trust so they feel comfortable sharing their medical information privately. Trust tends to be better established or already present when patients are referred by someone they trust.

I understand that conditions like pacemakers or valve issues often require antibiotic prophylaxis before cleaning (to prevent infective endocarditis, also known as subacute bacterial endocarditis or SABE). Older pacemakers, which lack shielding, can be affected by ultrasonic scalers. In such cases, hand scaling may be the safer option, although it is more tedious. It’s essential to follow recommendations and seek clearance or guidance from a cardiologist or periodontist.

Bacteria entering through the gums can lead to arterial plaque, atherosclerosis, and heart issues, as supported by various studies (e.g., Harvard Health). Additionally, poor oral hygiene can signal underlying systemic health issues.

This highlights the broader impact of a seemingly simple cleaning procedure on general health. So, don’t rush—get your annual cleaning done with your heart and mind in alignment and truth: tooth and gums.