My dad (mid 80s) woke up this morning to a swollen face. He has a rotten tooth.
Seen at out local dental hospital who have taken X-rays and mouth exam.
He needs to have tooth out. As he is on apixaban he has to have the procedure done at the dental hospital. (He also had a pace maker and has mild heart failure. Not sure if it’s is relevant. Oh and a few other daily tablets!)
I read an article about an older gentleman in Ilkeston who died in 2022 from complications following a tooth extraction and that the Coroner (in May of this year) was writing a prevention of future deaths report and that new guidance was to be drawn by NICE stating that those with underlying health conditions should receive antibiotics before extraction to help prevent infection.
My dad has not been given antibiotics.
Should he? Is it best practice for him to have been given antibiotics? (I can’t remember the last time he had antibiotics - must be 15 years or more ago.)
I realise that the report/guidance will not yet have been reviewed or written. But should we be pushing for antibiotics? He has no fever and little pain from the tooth.
Thank you.