There is no increased incidence of heart valve infection when routine antibiotics are removed

A study conducted in collaboration with Folktandvården Stockholm and Karolinska Institutet showed that a change in recommendations for prescribing prophylactic antibiotics in relation to dental care did not increase the number of heart valve infections in those patients at risk.

The global issue of rational use of antibiotics is high on the agenda, says Pia Scott, head of research at Folktandvården Stockholm, and this shows the great interest in the study.

Endocarditis is a rare infection of the heart valves. In Sweden, there are approximately 500 cases a year. The infection is usually caused by bacteria and must be treated with high doses of antibiotics. The bacteria can enter the bloodstream and reach the heart through the skin or through the mouth. Dental care and oral health play a huge and important role here.

The recommendation to give antibiotics was removed in 2012

Prior to 2012, dental care was recommended to give patients at increased risk antibiotics for prophylactic purposes prior to tooth extraction, tartar abrasion, or other surgical intervention in the oral cavity. It concerns patients who have previously suffered from inflammation of the heart valve, have severe congenital heart disease or have an artificial valve.

In October 2012, the recommendations were changed. One reason was that they went towards the goal of reducing the use of antibiotics in health care.

Chewing is a greater risk of antibiotic deficiency

Now the focus is instead on reducing the risk of bacteria entering the bloodstream through good oral hygiene. It has been shown to contribute to less antibiotic use and a lower risk of infection, says Niko Vasarga, a dentist and study author at Folktandvården Stockholm.

Now the study can confirm that reducing the use of antibiotics for preventive purposes does not increase a patient’s risk of developing a heart valve infection.

The study also confirms that dental chewing and brushing pose a greater risk of heart valve infection than oral interventions. This means that dental care should focus on helping individuals at risk of heart valve infection to take care of their oral health in daily life, rather than giving antibiotics for prevention.

About the research study

The research study assessed whether the changing recommendation regarding prophylactic antibiotics had any effect on the development of infective endocarditis. The use of antibiotics prophylactically in relation to dental care is not only in question in light of increasing antibiotic resistance. There has also been a lack of scientific support that prophylactic antibiotics reduce the risk of developing endocarditis.

Read the full study here:
Antibiotic prophylaxis in dentistry for the prevention of endocarditis

Kajsa NelsonCommunicator08-123 166 [email protected]

We at Folktandvården Stockholm welcome you, young or old, wherever you are or come from. We provide general and specialty dental care, research for the future, and work towards a sustainable society with better public health. With 80 clinics across the province and nearly 2,000 employees, we see up to 1.4 million patients annually. Folktandvarden is part of the Stockholm region.

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