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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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My Gums Have Been Hurting And Swollen Lately. Tell Me The Treatment

I need to get a deep teeth cleaning while having a minor heart condition? My gums have been hurting and swollen lately, so I went to see a dentist , who told me that I have the big pockets (more 5mm) and I need to get a deep cleaning and more. However, I recently was told by my physician that I might have a minor heart murmur. So my dentist won t see me until I get a release from my physician/cordiologist. The problem is that my first appointment with a cardiologist is only next month and I am not sure how long it will take to get results about my heart murmur. Should I try to get a form signed by my physician instead? She doesn t know much about my heart since it was discovered lately. Am I putting my heart in danger of getting some bacteria if I get this form signed without serious check-up and diagnoses of my heart? Or will this waiting for seeing a cardiologist first hurt my teeth? I don t want to increase my heart condition by using antibiotics at the dentist office but neither I want to lose my teeth by not treating them! Please help!!!!
Sun, 20 Dec 2009
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's  Response
The reason that they want you to be released by a physician is because the 'deep cleaning' can potentially release bacteria into the blood stream and cause an infection on the heart valve(s) and lead to irreversible valve damage and the need to surgically replace it in the future or death. In young women, it is not uncommon to have mitral valve prolapse. This can be verified by Echo which can be ordered by any physician but it is a cardiologist who is trained to interpret the image. The dentist is covering his/her butt if there should be a problem in the future. Ask the dentist while you're waiting if there is anything like a mouth rinse you can use while you're waiting,in combination with daily flossing. I was able to decrease my pockets from 4/5 to 3s with just flossing a mouth rinses.
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My Gums Have Been Hurting And Swollen Lately. Tell Me The Treatment

The reason that they want you to be released by a physician is because the deep cleaning can potentially release bacteria into the blood stream and cause an infection on the heart valve(s) and lead to irreversible valve damage and the need to surgically replace it in the future or death. In young women, it is not uncommon to have mitral valve prolapse. This can be verified by Echo which can be ordered by any physician but it is a cardiologist who is trained to interpret the image. The dentist is covering his/her butt if there should be a problem in the future. Ask the dentist while you re waiting if there is anything like a mouth rinse you can use while you re waiting,in combination with daily flossing. I was able to decrease my pockets from 4/5 to 3s with just flossing a mouth rinses.