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Contents
  • Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
  • Be Cautious with Needle Use
  • Regular Health Check-ups
  • Antibiotic Prophylaxis

How to Prevent Infective Endocarditis: Tips and Tricks

How to Prevent Infective Endocarditis: Tips and Tricks

Prevention is Key

Preventing infective endocarditis can save lives by reducing the risk of this dangerous heart infection.
Contents
  • Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
  • Be Cautious with Needle Use
  • Regular Health Check-ups
  • Antibiotic Prophylaxis

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is crucial in preventing infective endocarditis. Brushing and flossing regularly can help reduce the bacteria that may enter the bloodstream during dental procedures. Avoiding invasive dental treatments can also lower risk.

Be Cautious with Needle Use

Avoiding the use of needles for drug use is essential. Sharing needles or using unclean equipment can introduce harmful bacteria into the bloodstream, increasing the risk of infective endocarditis.
Proactive measures to prevent infective endocarditis, focusing on good oral hygiene and cautious needle use.

Regular Health Check-ups

Routine health check-ups can help identify potential risk factors early, such as heart conditions or dental issues. Regular monitoring and early intervention can play a significant role in prevention.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis

In some cases, doctors may recommend antibiotics before certain medical or dental procedures to prevent infective endocarditis. This is especially true for those with known heart conditions or past history of the infection.

FAQs

How can I prevent infective endocarditis?

Maintain good oral hygiene and avoid needle-based drug use.

Are regular check-ups important?

Yes, they can help identify and manage risk factors early.

Can antibiotics prevent it?

For some, antibiotics before procedures can help prevent infection.

Does brushing teeth help?

Yes, it reduces bacteria that could enter the bloodstream.

Is needle use a risk?

Yes, unclean needles can introduce bacteria into the bloodstream.

Stay Proactive

Proactive measures and a healthy lifestyle are your best defense against infective endocarditis.
Discuss prevention strategies with Doctronic to keep your heart safe.
Additional References
  1. Wilson W, Taubert KA, Gewitz M, et al. Prevention of infective endocarditis: guidelines from the American Heart Association: a guideline from the American Heart Association Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis, and Kawasaki Disease Committee, Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young, and the Council on Clinical Cardiology, Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia, and the Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Interdisciplinary Working Group. Circulation 2007; 116:1736.
  2. Lockhart PB, Brennan MT, Thornhill M, et al. Poor oral hygiene as a risk factor for infective endocarditis-related bacteremia. J Am Dent Assoc 2009; 140:1238.
  3. Chen SJ, Liu CJ, Chao TF, et al. Dental scaling and risk reduction in infective endocarditis: a nationwide population-based case-control study. Can J Cardiol 2013; 29:429.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.