Is Premedication Really Necessary?

The Mouth Mechanics are tackling the topic of premedication today—why do you have to take it? Why can’t you be seen if you don’t? And is it really necessary? Premedication can be confusing for patients who just want an examination or a cleaning and don’t understand why these seemingly non-invasive procedures require prophylactic medication. They just want to be seen quickly and with the minimum of fuss, so why do dental professionals insist on using premedication for some patients?   The team starts this episode with an easy answer to these questions: premedication is there to protect your health. They explain it’s an antibiotic that prevents any bacteria in your body from becoming irritated and causing an infection, and while it’s not necessary for every patient, it is vital for those with some pre-existing conditions. The premedication stops bacteria stirred up during an exam from getting into your bloodstream and causing infections in patients with such conditions as strokes, heart conditions, and even pregnancy. The team emphasizes that this isn’t done with the intention of frustrating or irritating patients—and definitely not because they’re lazy!—but is an important part of keeping you safe while you’re under their care. They also recommend always getting your care and medication from licensed professionals and not risking borrowing medication from a friend or skipping out on proper examinations. After all, every body responds differently to medication and bacterial strain, and something that seems like a small problem can turn out to be serious under proper examination. Finally, the Mouth Mechanics wind up by reiterating that premedication is the proactive, protective choice and discussing plans to include guests from other medical fields in future episodes of the show.   Episode Highlights:   -  Premedication: what it is, what it does, and who needs it -  Getting your teeth cleaned by a professional -  The input that goes into decisions that dental professionals ma