Antibiotic prophylaxis prior to certain dental procedures is one area they should discuss. The American Heart Association and several other organizations recommend that some individuals should be premedicated with antibiotics before initiating certain dental procedures. These patients generally fall under the category of having certain heart conditions or prosthetic joint replacements. Her hydrocephalic shunt may fall into a similar category. Antibiotic prophylaxis is deemed necessary for select individuals in certain cases because some dental procedures, such as a cleaning, can cause a bacteremia.
Bacteremia is basically a showering of common oral bacteria into the bloodstream.
Once in the bloodstream, the bacteria may congregate in certain areas or near prostheses. Very serious infections in these areas may result. In the meantime, check with your daughter's dentist to determine if he or she has discussed your daughter's case with her physician. This will help to ensure that your daughter receives the best possible dental care without destabilizing her overall health. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical attention, diagnosis or hands-on treatment.