In this topic, we will adress the question of patients with heart defects, especially in the valves, who have to take antibiotics one hour before dental procedures, or before other non dental interventions.
This case, which physicians call SBEP or slow bacterial endocarditis prevention, is by no way the only circumstance when we will need antibiotics around a dental work.
For instance, when we develop an infection around the dental root, typically with pain and swelling, then the dentist will prefer to prescribe an antibiotic treatment for a week or so in order for things to cool down, and then intervene in a way which will be more confortable and safe for the patient.
Another example is when the dentist will prescribe an antibiotic after a procedure is when he judges there will be a risk of superinfection.