Question:
Is it saft to have my teeth cleaned 6 days after surgery?

Whenever I have my dentist appt. they always make the next 6 months appt. on that day. But this time I will be 6 days post-op. I thought I remember reading something about how cleaning of the teeth releases bacteria into your system. But after reading the earlier posts on teeth, I am going to keep the appt. even it I can't have the cleaning - just to talk to the dentist.    — sry48 (posted on August 12, 2007)

August 12, 2007
Geez, and I even proof read for a living! The word is saft, is "safe". I am still 25 days before surgery but getting excited. Thanks.
   — sry48

August 12, 2007
Hello, I work in a dental office and on a heart unit in a hospital. It sounds weird but it depends on your teeth. This shouldn't be a problem but if you have periodontal disease it could but more than the norm of bacteria in your system. Make sure you ask your surgeon if this is ok. Sometimes they will want you to premedicate (antibiotics) before the cleaning or they should start antibiotics preoperatively.
   — danosteve

August 12, 2007
If you were given coumadin or other blood thinners post op, your dentist may not want to go ahead incase cleaning knicks your gum. Call your dentist's office before wasting a trip.
   — cherub13

August 12, 2007
Thank you for your answers. I have to go to the hospital again before I have surgery to see the physical therapist for exercises to do in the hospital to help prevent blood clots. I will stop in the surgeons office and ask them about if I can keep the appt.
   — sry48

August 12, 2007
Hi Sally, don't feel bad about the type'os, everyone does it! ;) As for your teeth cleaning, I went for my regular cleaning 10 days after RNY and she refused to do it. She wants me 10 months out just to be safe. Yes, your mouth is a dirty place and after going through all this I decided to heed her warning. Hope this helps.
   — Linda_M

August 12, 2007
I had my teeth cleaned about 15 days after surgery and it went ok. I just had to be careful about opening my mouth and tilting my head back too far. I didn't want to strain my neck muscles and I didn't want to get water in the back of my throat because I was afraid of choking on the water. I told them I had acid reflux and they were totally ok with it.
   — CElizabeth

August 12, 2007
To help avoid bloodclots WALK WALK WALK both before surgery and every day after. Creates good habit for a lifetime!
   — bob-haller

August 14, 2007
I was scheduled for a routine cleaning within two weeks of my post-RNY hernia repair and the surgeon asked that I reschedule the appointment. His concern was the release of bacteria into the bloodstream and thus an increased risk of infection. He didn't want any dental work, routine or otherwise, done within the two-week time period before or after surgery.
   — Tigs