RIVAROXABAN AND EXTRACTIONS

[sarniacherie]

Most AF sufferers do not want to hear these two words in the same sentence. I was concerned about having a troublesome tooth extracted this morning. I stopped taking Rivaroxaban for 48 hours before on the advice of the cardiologist and I am happy to report all is well. I have had gum abscesses and infections on and off for years but despite x-rays the dentist could not get to the root of the problem (no pun intended!). As soon as the tooth was out she could see the root was badly infected and this has been causing the trouble all the time. Other posts have mentioned links between dental trouble and the heart. So I will be keen to find out if having this tooth out might reduce my AF episodes. Here's hoping!

[meadfoot]

It would be wonderful if you too had a ceasation of af once the infection is fully out of your system. If so that's further evidence of dental root problems associated with af.

[Barry24]

I would not be surprised if your AF completely goes away.

Regards

Barry

[jeanjeannie50]

Having my root infected tooth removed in March appears to have cured my AF. It went about 10 days after the extraction and I haven't had AF since. Fingers crossed yours will disappear too.

Jean

[seasider18 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Did you tell your heart care team that and what was their reply ?

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to seasider18]

My AF nurse rang to give me the date for a cardioversion and I told her I didn't need it anymore and then related my tooth extraction story. She sounded amazed and pleased.

[seasider18 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Amazing discovery. Perhaps we should all get our teeth out and wear dentures.

I hope the nurse passed the reason for your cancellation up the line.

[sarniacherie]

Thank you for your replies. I have read some very positive posts and articles about the link between infected teeth and heart problems, so here's hoping!

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to sarniacherie]

How often do you normally get attacks of AF? I can't wait to hear if your AF will disappear now as mine did.

[sarniacherie in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I get around an attack a month and by that I mean that it lasts longer than 30 minutes. Stops as suddenly as it starts. I shall post on here if once any lingering infection has gone the episodes stop. Fingers and everything else crossed! Thanks for your interest.

[seasider18 in reply to sarniacherie]

My wife had a root canal treated earlier this year. Her GP recently said that she has ectopic beats and wondered about AF but an ECG did not show that. Dental X-Ray shows another infection on a root but she has put off having the root canal done as she did not enjoy the last one has another problem that is being treated by the maxilla facial unit that she wants sorted out first. I have warned her about dental infections and the heart.

I'm not sure how seriously heart surgeons and dentists take it as prior to my heart valve replacement five years ago I went for a dental check up and the dentist seemed not to think it a problem. When I had the pre op assessment the nurse said that we don't bother about that so much now. I did of course end up in AF after the operation as evidently about 30% of patients do.

[sarniacherie in reply to seasider18]

Medics are funny, aren't they? I was diagnosed with AF back in 1989 so I have seen several cardiologists during that time and all of them have told me something different and without fail have altered my medication. A friend of mine was taken very ill with endocarditis after leaving infected teeth for too long and I have read several articles written by doctors which shows a link between dental problems and the heart. I am like a child waiting for Christmas to see if the removal of my infected tooth will stop my AF. Here's hoping.

[seasider18 in reply to sarniacherie]

So now the tooth fairy cures your heart instead of leaving you a sixpence?

Though I've been told that some dentists refuse to give a tooth back to the patient as it is 'diseased'

[sarniacherie in reply to seasider18]

Very good!

[secondtry]

I think there is every chance your AF will be reduced.

From what I have read there is a close link with developing AF and oral hygiene and the other way around in that AF can cause additional dental work risks.

Over my total known AF period of around 8 years all I know is that I have had 4 Root Canals and one extraction and I feel much better. If I get another infected tooth at the side extraction will be my first thought.

Message to all AFers: Up your daily teeth care and dental visits. It's not the complete answer to AF but I think an important tool in the box.

[sarniacherie in reply to secondtry]

Thank you for your post. I agree with you. There is quite a bit written about it too. Anything that can keep the lid on AF is good for me.