Has anyone had this experience? Prior to my hip replacement in march went to dentist, root canal and new crown, two months after hip had an absess tooth, had to do another root canal on crown on same molar. Fast forward, November had tkr, almost to six weeks now same molar is absess ing again! I was worried so I brushed no less he than 3 times daily, floss ed and did a mouth wash fofour times daily. Anyone get a problem like this or am I going insane?
Are you on antibiotics?
I'm having the same issue. TKR 4 months ago, 3 weeks ago an abcess and root canal...didn't clear up even with antibiotics and 3 days ago ANOTHER root canal on same tooth. Have to get another crown on it soon.
I've been on antibiotics for about a month now. I'm terrified infection will go to my knee.
Just started this weekend note into my doctor for tomorrow. That worries me too. I have the same problem when I fly and now take an antibiotic prior to any plane trip. Take care
My surgeon said to go on a preventive antibiotic before any dental work or surgery after the TKR. For the rest of my life.
Another side effect to this surgery that I wasn't aware of!
Not sure there is a correlation but the protocol among many surgeons and dentists runs with antibiotics being utilized after replacements to keep infections away from the prosthesis. The metal can be a magnet to certain infections. I had a staph that became very stubborn and required The leg to be opened twice and 8 weeks of twice a day antibiotic delivered through a PICC line both times. The 2nd time, the prosthesis had to be removed and replaced with a spacer, immobized and no weight bearing allowed for 4 months. Then a new prosthesis inserted requiring a rehab. Some parts of the world, including where I reside, the antibiotic before any dental proceedure, including cleaning is standard practice. Other areas Dr's just say its old fashion. IMO, its not worth the risk but of course I'm the guy who had to undergo 3 major surgeries and hobble around 4 months on a walker.
OFG1, your story is terrifying and the reason I didn't hesitate for one second to go on the antibiotics before first root canal.
What were symptoms of your infection with the new knee? I'm paranoid about getting one since first round of antibiotics didn't stop tooth infection.
1st time.... fever, nasuea, really large amounts of nasty looking green/ yellow drainage. 2nd time high level of pain in the joint and low grade fever, fatigue. I had a staph classified as epistaph or a staph generated by my own body from the outer skin and that my immune system can't fight on its own. Our nephew is an infectious disease Dr. His theory or education says every one has enough staph on their body to kill them but over 95% of the people have an immune system that can handle it. I happen to be in the 5% that don't.
There are some varieties of staph like MRSA that are products of the environment and are close to being fatal. My oldest grandson cut his leg on a piece of sheet metal while on a call out. They wound up having to remove a big hunk of his leg tissue and he was hospitalized for 10 days. Somehow he has passed that on to a couple of his daughters and they carry it as a latent infection.
You are wise to not let them mess with your teeth without the prophlactic use of antibiotics prior to procedures as everyone in the medical profession I know refers the the mouth as the dirtiest part of the body next to the hands. This of course is just an opinion and bias of mine based on personal history
BYW susan, the 2nd time I had to go through the process of having a radiologist go in with a needle while using some form of machine to look inside the joint. I think they said it was an upgrade of the old floroscope machines they used 50/60 years ago to look at bones in the feet, etc. Those old machines put out so much harmful radiation that none of us knew about. After WWII local shoe stores would have you stick your feet in one of those things so you could see how badly deformed your toes had gotten while you were wearing the ill fitting shoes that were available during those war years. Great selling tool if it didn't turn you green.
You have the best information! Thank you for all of the time, advice and interesting stories you share here.
My docs ALWAYS call for a big dose of Keflex (antibiotic) before ANY dental work for 2 years post op. Don't play with fire...
Yes, I had teeth problems as well, after 3-4 months ended up having 2 crowns and root canals. I also had to have a redo done on 2nd root canal. Never ever ever had teeth problems before like this. Just what I needed, another health problem on top of my knee issues. It is still not completely resolved. Then I got this thing I researched called burning mouth syndrom. My dentist never heard of it nor did my regular doctor. I started researching and found a lot of people suffer with it, very very uncomfortable, awful. My dentist finally did say I may have bms, however gave me no solutions. I found a website that gave me some relief, take 6000 mcg vit b12 once a day. I was so thankful for this persons info. Doctors still don't really know how to treat it, I thought it was my nerves??? , anyway your not alone, I thought I was goin kookoo too