Which statement best explains why dental caries are a concern before valve surgery?

• A. Dental caries do not affect heart health.
• B. Dental caries indicate good dental hygiene.
• C. Dental caries increase the risk for endocarditis.
• D. Dental caries are unimportant for surgery timing.

Answer: (C)

Oral infections can release bacteria into the bloodstream, and in someone with a damaged or artificial valve, those bacteria can travel to the heart and seed the valve, causing infective endocarditis. Dental caries harbor bacteria that can enter circulation during chewing or dental work, so addressing them before valve surgery lowers the risk of this serious infection and improves surgical outcomes. The other statements miss the point: caries do affect heart health by raising infection risk, they do not signal good hygiene, and active dental issues can impact the timing and safety of surgery.