Guest guest Posted April 26, 2004 Report Share Posted April 26, 2004 Well, I wondered about that too. After I floss and brush, I always use something like Listerine as a mouth rinse. Tastes awful, but it has enough alcohol to act like a styptic (so it causes the blood vessels to contract and stops bleeding), plus it was one of the first and more effective antiseptics available (and was used for surgery about a century ago). Not flossing or regular cleaning, BTW, allows plaque to get between the tooth and gum, leaging space and causing more bleeding and possibly gingivitis. In the long run you are a lot better off getting your teeth cleaned more regularly. I get mine done 3 times a year rather than twice and I can tell that my gums are a lot happier and usually don't bleed anymore when I floss. The father of a one of my good friends is a cardiologist and he lost a patient last year due to a heart infection contracted after a dental procedure. It seems the dentists didn't think pre-medication was needed. The way he explained it to me was that thanks to chewing action, natural selection makes the bacteria in your mouth really sticky -- sort of like barnacles. When it gets in your bloodstream it sticks to everything and seems to have a particular affinity for implants, possibily because they aren't alive so the body natural defenses don't really extend to there. One major bit of research done recently shows that one cause of heart attacks is probably this: Oral bacteria sticks to the inside walls of arteries and the body's immune/inflammatioin response narrow the artery itself. This means cholesterol is not the only culprit, but one more component. I thought that was interesting. The study also concluded that the worse shape your mouth is in, the more likely you are to have a variety of health ills. Guess the old Roman doctor's (Galen's) admonition of looking at the teeth as a diagnosis of general health wasn't so screwy after all... Cheers, Jeff rBHR Aug. 1, 2001 Mr. McMinn >In the first two years after resurfacing, we all have to take >antibiotics prior to dental work, but what about flossing? My teeth >are in decent shape but every time I floss I get some bleeding. >Aren't I risking infection to my resurfaced hip? I asked my dentist >and he didn't have an answer - in fact he said he's wondered about >that and if I find out, let him know. I haven't talked to my OS yet, >but I was wondering if any of you good folks had any information on >this. > >Much appreciated, >Os > >LHR Dr. Kim Ottawa, Canada Oct/2003 > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 27, 2004 Report Share Posted April 27, 2004 After reading this string about oral bacteria and the effect of various dental procedures with great interest, I went to have a scale and polish, and asked both the hygienist and my dentist what they thought. Their answers were cautious, and the main point which came out of it was that taking antibiotics (an hour beforehand, as mentioned elsewhere) was considered standard practice for any patient who had a history of heart problems. However, they had never heard it mentioned for metallic implants. They conceded that it might well be a good preventitive idea, and said I could do it if I wanted to. I have written to my OS for information on this as it was not part of my release advice from the hospital. My dentist (who took out one of my wisdom teeth a month ago without antibiotics) commented that it is now well known that dental procedures can send bacteria right around the bloodstream very quickly, so such a precaution seemed sensible to him. Against this must be put the fact that over-use of antibiotics has helped to create the MRSA problem which is now proving so difficult to eradicate. Interesting dilemma? Rgds . LBHR Muirhead-Allwood 2002 > >In the first two years after resurfacing, we all have to take > >antibiotics prior to dental work, but what about flossing? My teeth > >are in decent shape but every time I floss I get some bleeding. > >Aren't I risking infection to my resurfaced hip? I asked my dentist > >and he didn't have an answer - in fact he said he's wondered about > >that and if I find out, let him know. I haven't talked to my OS yet, > >but I was wondering if any of you good folks had any information on > >this. > > > >Much appreciated, > >Os > > > >LHR Dr. Kim Ottawa, Canada Oct/2003 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 27, 2004 Report Share Posted April 27, 2004 After reading this string about oral bacteria and the effect of various dental procedures with great interest, I went to have a scale and polish, and asked both the hygienist and my dentist what they thought. Their answers were cautious, and the main point which came out of it was that taking antibiotics (an hour beforehand, as mentioned elsewhere) was considered standard practice for any patient who had a history of heart problems. However, they had never heard it mentioned for metallic implants. They conceded that it might well be a good preventitive idea, and said I could do it if I wanted to. I have written to my OS for information on this as it was not part of my release advice from the hospital. My dentist (who took out one of my wisdom teeth a month ago without antibiotics) commented that it is now well known that dental procedures can send bacteria right around the bloodstream very quickly, so such a precaution seemed sensible to him. Against this must be put the fact that over-use of antibiotics has helped to create the MRSA problem which is now proving so difficult to eradicate. Interesting dilemma? Rgds . LBHR Muirhead-Allwood 2002 > >In the first two years after resurfacing, we all have to take > >antibiotics prior to dental work, but what about flossing? My teeth > >are in decent shape but every time I floss I get some bleeding. > >Aren't I risking infection to my resurfaced hip? I asked my dentist > >and he didn't have an answer - in fact he said he's wondered about > >that and if I find out, let him know. I haven't talked to my OS yet, > >but I was wondering if any of you good folks had any information on > >this. > > > >Much appreciated, > >Os > > > >LHR Dr. Kim Ottawa, Canada Oct/2003 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 27, 2004 Report Share Posted April 27, 2004 After reading this string about oral bacteria and the effect of various dental procedures with great interest, I went to have a scale and polish, and asked both the hygienist and my dentist what they thought. Their answers were cautious, and the main point which came out of it was that taking antibiotics (an hour beforehand, as mentioned elsewhere) was considered standard practice for any patient who had a history of heart problems. However, they had never heard it mentioned for metallic implants. They conceded that it might well be a good preventitive idea, and said I could do it if I wanted to. I have written to my OS for information on this as it was not part of my release advice from the hospital. My dentist (who took out one of my wisdom teeth a month ago without antibiotics) commented that it is now well known that dental procedures can send bacteria right around the bloodstream very quickly, so such a precaution seemed sensible to him. Against this must be put the fact that over-use of antibiotics has helped to create the MRSA problem which is now proving so difficult to eradicate. Interesting dilemma? Rgds . LBHR Muirhead-Allwood 2002 > >In the first two years after resurfacing, we all have to take > >antibiotics prior to dental work, but what about flossing? My teeth > >are in decent shape but every time I floss I get some bleeding. > >Aren't I risking infection to my resurfaced hip? I asked my dentist > >and he didn't have an answer - in fact he said he's wondered about > >that and if I find out, let him know. I haven't talked to my OS yet, > >but I was wondering if any of you good folks had any information on > >this. > > > >Much appreciated, > >Os > > > >LHR Dr. Kim Ottawa, Canada Oct/2003 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2004 Report Share Posted May 7, 2004 Thank you Jeff, and Kathy for your replies. Very insightful. Even though there's not much on the web about this, I checked again. On the AAOS (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) site, in an article called 'Dental work after a joint replacement' it says " You should get preventive antibiotics before dental procedures if: .......You had a joint replacement less than two years ago. " and " You should get preventive antibiotics for the following dental procedures: ....Regular cleaning of teeth or implants where bleeding is anticipated. " I heard back from my OS, Dr. Kim (through his admin assistant) and apparently he said " the bleeding associated with flossing is not a problem " . I asked " Why not? " . She didn't know, and Dr. Kim is not back until May 10. I may try again. What I've done in the meantime is start using a generic Listerine antiseptic mouthwash prior and after my flossing. This should kill most of the germs, and if I keep it up regularly, my gums should get better and not bleed at all. I can only hope. As an interesting sidelight, there was a recent article in our local paper that said gargelling with Listerine was as effective, if not more effective, than flossing. I think I'll stick with both for now. Regards, Os Hoch LHR, Dr. Kim, Oct 2003, Ottawa, Ont > > > >In the first two years after resurfacing, we all have to take > > > >antibiotics prior to dental work, but what about flossing? My > > teeth > > > >are in decent shape but every time I floss I get some bleeding. > > > >Aren't I risking infection to my resurfaced hip? I asked my > > dentist > > > >and he didn't have an answer - in fact he said he's wondered > about > > > >that and if I find out, let him know. I haven't talked to my OS > > yet, > > > >but I was wondering if any of you good folks had any information > > on > > > >this. > > > > > > > >Much appreciated, > > > >Os > > > > > > > >LHR Dr. Kim Ottawa, Canada Oct/2003 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2004 Report Share Posted May 7, 2004 Thank you Jeff, and Kathy for your replies. Very insightful. Even though there's not much on the web about this, I checked again. On the AAOS (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) site, in an article called 'Dental work after a joint replacement' it says " You should get preventive antibiotics before dental procedures if: .......You had a joint replacement less than two years ago. " and " You should get preventive antibiotics for the following dental procedures: ....Regular cleaning of teeth or implants where bleeding is anticipated. " I heard back from my OS, Dr. Kim (through his admin assistant) and apparently he said " the bleeding associated with flossing is not a problem " . I asked " Why not? " . She didn't know, and Dr. Kim is not back until May 10. I may try again. What I've done in the meantime is start using a generic Listerine antiseptic mouthwash prior and after my flossing. This should kill most of the germs, and if I keep it up regularly, my gums should get better and not bleed at all. I can only hope. As an interesting sidelight, there was a recent article in our local paper that said gargling with Listerine was as effective, if not more effective, than flossing. I think I'll stick with both for now. Regards, Os Hoch LHR, Dr. Kim, Oct 2003, Ottawa, Ont > > > >In the first two years after resurfacing, we all have to take > > > >antibiotics prior to dental work, but what about flossing? My > > teeth > > > >are in decent shape but every time I floss I get some bleeding. > > > >Aren't I risking infection to my resurfaced hip? I asked my > > dentist > > > >and he didn't have an answer - in fact he said he's wondered > about > > > >that and if I find out, let him know. I haven't talked to my OS > > yet, > > > >but I was wondering if any of you good folks had any information > > on > > > >this. > > > > > > > >Much appreciated, > > > >Os > > > > > > > >LHR Dr. Kim Ottawa, Canada Oct/2003 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2004 Report Share Posted May 7, 2004 I'm a flossing fanatic. I use a product called " Glide " that I have found to be far superior to all others in it's design. It is large, yet very usable. I bleed way less than I did with conventional floss. Chris > > > > >In the first two years after resurfacing, we all have to take > > > > >antibiotics prior to dental work, but what about flossing? My > > > teeth > > > > >are in decent shape but every time I floss I get some > bleeding. > > > > >Aren't I risking infection to my resurfaced hip? I asked my > > > dentist > > > > >and he didn't have an answer - in fact he said he's wondered > > about > > > > >that and if I find out, let him know. I haven't talked to my > OS > > > yet, > > > > >but I was wondering if any of you good folks had any > information > > > on > > > > >this. > > > > > > > > > >Much appreciated, > > > > >Os > > > > > > > > > >LHR Dr. Kim Ottawa, Canada Oct/2003 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2004 Report Share Posted May 21, 2004 Kathy, It took a while, but, for what it's worth, this is the answer I received from my OS: " The situation is not clear. If you are having clean surgery, which vascular surgery should be, then you should not need to take antibiotics as there should be no risk of introducing sepsis. However, for dentistry (the mouth is a very dirty place) I do advise antibiotics for all major dentistry and, in fact, for all dentistry at all for the first year after hip surgery " . I think this is pretty much in line with most advice which has been reported here, with a probable bias towards more " precautionary " antobiotics from US contributors, and more of a " don't take any more than you have to " line from European patients. I have since spoken to my vascular surgeon, who uses perioperative antibiotics in all his procedures in any case - as a precaution. Hope this is helpful, Rgds . > > > >In the first two years after resurfacing, we all have to take > > > >antibiotics prior to dental work, but what about flossing? My > > teeth > > > >are in decent shape but every time I floss I get some bleeding. > > > >Aren't I risking infection to my resurfaced hip? I asked my > > dentist > > > >and he didn't have an answer - in fact he said he's wondered > about > > > >that and if I find out, let him know. I haven't talked to my OS > > yet, > > > >but I was wondering if any of you good folks had any information > > on > > > >this. > > > > > > > >Much appreciated, > > > >Os > > > > > > > >LHR Dr. Kim Ottawa, Canada Oct/2003 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2004 Report Share Posted May 22, 2004 -Great threads about oral bacteria...very interesting. Thanks to all who contributed...I just wanted to add that I do recall several weeks ago when the surfacehippys were discussing " Any failed resurfs? " that someone commented that they were about to have a revision...or maybe already did because of an infection in the new hip and just previously that person had wisdom teeth extracted. Susie from Memphis or Susie M. (I am going to start identifying myself by Susie from Memphis because there is another Susie who is active on this website) -- In surfacehippy , " virginiaqld " wrote: > That's great to have that information, Jonathon. Thanks for doing > the research. > Virginia (RHS Birmingham m-o-m on THR stem, Brisbane, 27 Aug 03.) > > > > > > > >In the first two years after resurfacing, we all have to > take > > > > > >antibiotics prior to dental work, but what about flossing? > My > > > > teeth > > > > > >are in decent shape but every time I floss I get some > > bleeding. > > > > > >Aren't I risking infection to my resurfaced hip? I asked my > > > > dentist > > > > > >and he didn't have an answer - in fact he said he's wondered > > > about > > > > > >that and if I find out, let him know. I haven't talked to my > > OS > > > > yet, > > > > > >but I was wondering if any of you good folks had any > > information > > > > on > > > > > >this. > > > > > > > > > > > >Much appreciated, > > > > > >Os > > > > > > > > > > > >LHR Dr. Kim Ottawa, Canada Oct/2003 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2004 Report Share Posted May 22, 2004 -Great threads about oral bacteria...very interesting. Thanks to all who contributed...I just wanted to add that I do recall several weeks ago when the surfacehippys were discussing " Any failed resurfs? " that someone commented that they were about to have a revision...or maybe already did because of an infection in the new hip and just previously that person had wisdom teeth extracted. Susie from Memphis or Susie M. (I am going to start identifying myself by Susie from Memphis because there is another Susie who is active on this website) -- In surfacehippy , " virginiaqld " wrote: > That's great to have that information, Jonathon. Thanks for doing > the research. > Virginia (RHS Birmingham m-o-m on THR stem, Brisbane, 27 Aug 03.) > > > > > > > >In the first two years after resurfacing, we all have to > take > > > > > >antibiotics prior to dental work, but what about flossing? > My > > > > teeth > > > > > >are in decent shape but every time I floss I get some > > bleeding. > > > > > >Aren't I risking infection to my resurfaced hip? I asked my > > > > dentist > > > > > >and he didn't have an answer - in fact he said he's wondered > > > about > > > > > >that and if I find out, let him know. I haven't talked to my > > OS > > > > yet, > > > > > >but I was wondering if any of you good folks had any > > information > > > > on > > > > > >this. > > > > > > > > > > > >Much appreciated, > > > > > >Os > > > > > > > > > > > >LHR Dr. Kim Ottawa, Canada Oct/2003 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2004 Report Share Posted May 22, 2004 -Great threads about oral bacteria...very interesting. Thanks to all who contributed...I just wanted to add that I do recall several weeks ago when the surfacehippys were discussing " Any failed resurfs? " that someone commented that they were about to have a revision...or maybe already did because of an infection in the new hip and just previously that person had wisdom teeth extracted. Susie from Memphis or Susie M. (I am going to start identifying myself by Susie from Memphis because there is another Susie who is active on this website) -- In surfacehippy , " virginiaqld " wrote: > That's great to have that information, Jonathon. Thanks for doing > the research. > Virginia (RHS Birmingham m-o-m on THR stem, Brisbane, 27 Aug 03.) > > > > > > > >In the first two years after resurfacing, we all have to > take > > > > > >antibiotics prior to dental work, but what about flossing? > My > > > > teeth > > > > > >are in decent shape but every time I floss I get some > > bleeding. > > > > > >Aren't I risking infection to my resurfaced hip? I asked my > > > > dentist > > > > > >and he didn't have an answer - in fact he said he's wondered > > > about > > > > > >that and if I find out, let him know. I haven't talked to my > > OS > > > > yet, > > > > > >but I was wondering if any of you good folks had any > > information > > > > on > > > > > >this. > > > > > > > > > > > >Much appreciated, > > > > > >Os > > > > > > > > > > > >LHR Dr. Kim Ottawa, Canada Oct/2003 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.