Anticoagulant and tooth extraction

[50568789]

I take rivaroxaban daily for AF, and have never had an issue with bleeding from minor cuts or injuries. Sensible precaution advised by medics to stop taking day before anything more serious (ablation, colonoscopy etc). I had a tooth extraction on Friday, but didn't think and wasn't advised to stop rivaroxaban the day before, as there was a 20 hour gap. Once I got home, the blood began to appear and built up to a somewhat worrying level despite biting down on gauze wads. Eventually I cracked and headed to A+E late at night , knowing what was in store. Yes, it was everything you might imagine, but grimly sat there for 5 hours with a heavily bleeding mouth. All ends well, the triage nurse gave me a wad with some magic gel on it to bite on, and slowly but surely the blood started to lessen and by the time I saw a doctor the socket was virtually dry. Home again by 5 a.m.! The lesson is? An anticoagulant does its job but has to be managed to avoid things going wrong.

[Desanthony]

The first time I had dental work after going on apixaban both the dentist and cardiologist didn't think I needed to stop - but I decided to stop that morning - no problems. Since then I haven't bothered stopping the apixaban and have had two teeth extracted, implants and lots of work with no problems. Now you know how this works with you then you know what to do. I also ask for adrenaline free injections and they work well too.

[lovetogarden]

Oh, what an exhausting experience. Bad enough getting the tooth extracted, but add an A&E trip on top of it. Ughh… so sorry. I ha pd a tooth out in December. I think I was off the anti-coagulant for at least a couple of days before. And still it bled quite a bit. Hope it’s healing well now!

[Ducky2003]

Last year, I was told by the dentist I didn't need to stop but my EP told me to stop the night before.I did stop the night before to be on the safe side and had low adrenaline anaesthetic.

[50568789]

Well, I will make sure this dentist gets to know about this episode! I was specifically told not to worry about the anticoagulant. The emergency dentist at the same practice said she would have advised to stop it a day earlier. Not impressed - and it cost me a small fortune to boot! (Was also a bit concerned about the potential stress effect on my AF).

[pusillanimous]

My question is, why? I read so often about people having teeth extracted - is it the NHS saving money because extraction is cheap, or can't the dentists be bothered to treat the tooth and make every effort to save it? We're not Sharks, we only get one set of adult teeth and every one is precious.

[2learn]

Hi, I think you need to talk to your dentist about the correct procedures for someone on blood thinners, when to stop, how long for and what anaesthetic and anti biotics you need.

[wischo]

Yes I stopped edoxaban the day before and starting back the day after extraction on advice from my cardiologist who suggested taking an aspirin on the days without, however the dentist said stay off it only on the day of the extraction and the day after. I listened to the cardio and the socket bled for 3days. Very minor but she did say she told me so.

[50568789]

Sounds like everybody has a view, and most of them are just guessing.