Patient's Guide to Heart Transplant Surgery

Dental Care and Infections

Because so many bacteria and fungi may be present there, another source of major infection after transplant is your mouth. This is why we insist on a dental evaluation before you have surgery.

After transplant, it is important that you have regular checkups and maintain good dental hygiene. The routine dental care provided by your dentist will help to prevent infections and to decrease the amount of gum overgrowth from the Cyclosporine.

If you plan to have any major dental work done, please notify your dentist in advance that you have had a transplant and will require antibiotics to be given prior to the procedure. The reason for this is that bacteria may get into your blood while you are having dental work done, and the bacteria could cause an infection. The American Heart Association standard antibiotic protocol is advised for the prevention of infection during major dental work. If your dentist has any questions, please have him/her call the transplant office.

The transplant doctors or coordinators will always be willing to give him/her any information needed.

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