Antibiotic prophylaxis

[Melissa]

I have mitral valve prolapse and am concerned about taking antibiotics for the rest of my life.  I am 28 and have been diagnosed with MVP for the past year and a half.  I get my teeth cleaned twice a year, as recommended.  That means I'll take Amoxicillin at least twice a year.  Within the last 7 months alone, I've taken the usual 2g course  times:  1X for teeth cleaning, 2X for tooth fillings,  and 1X for split ear lobe repair.  In addition, I had an infection (strep throat?) which required a week of horse-pill size Augmentin (Amoxicillin).

Isn't it true that there is the risk of antibiotic resistence from taking too many antibiotics over time?  

Do the 5 times I've mentioned above constitute a risk for Amoxicillin resistence?

Is 2g twice a year enough to promote antibiotic resistence?

What can be done to prevent resistence if I must take the antibiotics?

Is there any way to "cure" antibiotic resistence?


Also curious:
Does supplementing with acidophilus help in any way?

I understand that friendly bacteria get killed by antibiotics too.  Do they also develop a resistence over time--thereby making them stronger (i.e. even more friendly)????

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

Antibiotic resistance is a real problem, associated with overuse of antibiotics. However, the short durations for which you have taken antibiotics are very unlikely to cause antibiotic resistance. In situations where it occurs, alternative antibiotics are used.

Regarding friendly bacteria found in all our bodies, antibiotics do not make them stronger. If anything they can sometime eradicate them and lead to temporary side effects such as diarrhea.