Micro-organisms in the mouth and particularly those around the teeth and
gums have a special tendency to enter the blood stream and cause infection on
abnormal heart valves, including replacement valves of all types.
For this reason, before valve surgery is undertaken, special attention is
paid to the state of the patient’s teeth and gums, and dental extractions may be advised. Removal of all the teeth (dental clearance) may be necessary to
control widespread infection in the mouth, but is not usually advised as a
routine.
After valve replacement it is vital for a preventive (prophylactic)
antibiotic to be taken when visiting the dental surgeon. This is necessary for
all dental extractions, or any procedure which may cause bleeding from the
gams. This simple precaution can prevent the tragedy of an infected valve.
so your dental surgeon must be informed.