Local Anesthesia as an Antimicrobial Ally
Local anesthesia has historically been used for analgesia (pain management) but it also has other benefits in dental care, such as the ability of vasoconstrictors to reduce bleeding at the injection site and decreased quantity of local anesthetics (LAs) in the bloodstream.1 A lesser known benefit is the bacterial inhibitory properties of LAs. With most state practice acts now allowing dental hygienists to administer local anesthesia,2 they need to be aware of LAs’ bacterial inhibitory properties that may help prevent and manage dental diseases.
* References and figures can be found in the original article via the link above.
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