Dentist & Ice: Two questions please. I... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Dentist & Ice

MT51 profile image
MT51
15 Replies

Two questions please. I haven't been to the dentist since I was put on Rivaroxaban anticoagulant after been diagnose with AF. I shall obviously tell her but any advice gratefully received.

Also, in the heatwave, I rediscovered my penchant for orange ice lollies, Del Monte or Tesco's finest made from Valencia oranges. But I think I read on here something about it being a good idea to eat ice cubes or icy things.

Any replies gratefully received.

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MT51
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MT51 profile image
MT51

Please excuse the typos! I meant 'diagnosed' and that I had read about it not being a good idea to eat icy things.

in reply toMT51

I think you have probably read of some who have consumed something like those slushy iced drinks maybe too quickly and set off an arrhythmia. I don't think cold drinks generally are anything to get concerned about. Conversely drinking very cold drinks can help some to come out of a fast rate!!

MT51 profile image
MT51 in reply to

Thank you Yatsura. I drank one of those slushy drinks a few years ago, before I had AFiB, or I should say I tried to, but it was unbearably cold!

jamesvdv0 profile image
jamesvdv0 in reply to

Icy/cold drinks (even water) have been the trigger for the onset my AF symptoms 100% of the time!

MT51 profile image
MT51 in reply tojamesvdv0

I've got permanent AF and don't always feel the symptoms, apart from the breathlessness, which is now largely under control. Think I should count myself lucky.

I believe fillings, simple extractions and scaling are generally OK with DOACs. My dentist always asked for my INR, with me being on warfarin previously.

Drinking ice water is a so called “vagal manoeuvre” which may terminate an AF episode if you have adrenergic AF. If you have vagal AF, it may precipitate AF.

Definitely something to discuss with your GP before trying it, particularly if you are not sure which type you have.

MT51 profile image
MT51 in reply to

DOAC?

inezelsie profile image
inezelsie in reply to

Hi Oyster - how do you determine which type of AF you have? i didn't know there was more than one kind!

in reply toinezelsie

This might help.

richardbogle.com/blog/vagal...

Finvola profile image
Finvola

I have taken Apixaban, a similar Direct Oral AntiCoagulant (DOAC) for nearly five years and have had normal dental checkups, hygienist visits, fillings and a large extraction in that time.

Obviously, your dentist needs to know about your anticoagulation but I also told mine about my AF and the strong likelihood (in my case) of adrenaline-based anasthetics causing my AF to start. I always have adrenaline free injections and have had no problems of any kind - except nerves!

Can’t help with icy stuff as I avoid even iced drinks because of the possibility of upsetting the old ticker.

in reply toFinvola

I told my dentist I needed an adrenalin free injection, then just before she put the injection in I said 'Is that the adrenalin free one?' 'Oh!' she said. 'Good job you reminded me...' So I would say, ask and then remind right at the point of use! It doesn't always go in!

Finvola profile image
Finvola in reply to

😩

MT51 profile image
MT51 in reply toFinvola

My husband had an eye test yesterday and had to remind the optician she'd only done the various tests for anything nasty on the one eye! 'Oh, have I not done the two of them?' she asked.

Tako2009 profile image
Tako2009

Finvola has said it all ~ I take Rivaroxaban myself and have had fillings and an extraction since being diagnosed and medicated for AF with no problems. I have told my dentist I have AF and given her details of the meds I take. And I am a seriously nervous dental patient!

Liz

MT51 profile image
MT51 in reply toTako2009

Thanks, Liz. I too am a very nervous patient at the dentist's!

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