Why are infected teeth removed before cardiac surgery?

Dental extraction of abscessed or infected teeth is often performed to decrease the risk of infection during surgery and endocarditis (an inflammation of the inner layer of the heart) following surgery. However, research has shown that removing an infected tooth prior to cardiac surgery may increase the risk of major adverse outcomes, including risk of death prior to surgery. The researchers have therefore recommended an individualized analysis of the expected benefit of dental extraction prior to cardiac surgery.