Systemic Disorders and the Mouth

Clues suggesting systemic disease may be found in the mouth and adjacent structures (see Introduction to the Approach to the Dental Patient and table Oral Findings in Systemic Disorders

Patients with certain cardiac conditions may require antibiotic prophylaxis to help prevent bacterial endocarditis before undergoing certain dental procedures (see table Procedures Requiring Antimicrobial Endocarditis Prophylaxis in High-Risk Patients in the US and also see table Recommended Endocarditis Prophylaxis During Oral-Dental or Respiratory Tract Procedures).