tooth out on Clopidrogrel

[Holiday12345]

just wanting to ask I’ve to get tooth out and dentist says ok to keep taking Clopidrogrel GP said same. Just wanting to hear replies that folk have had a tooth out ok while still taking Clopidrogrel for reassurance. Don’t like dentist at best of times but super nervous on anticoagulant

Many thanks

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello Holiday12345

I had a tooth extracted a few years ago. I am on clopidogrel for life.

I didn't have to stop taking clopidogrel.

The Dentist did the extraction at the end of the day.

I can't be given local anaesthetic containing adrenaline as the adrenaline can trigger my coronary vasospasms. Adrenaline reduces blood loss as it constricts the blood vessels.

I had to bite down hard on dental swab for 5 minutes. I then had to stay in the dental chair for 30 minutes. Then sit in the waiting room for another 15 mins.

I had no bleeding problems. I was in alot of pain before the extraction because I had a tooth abcess.

Just needed paracetamol for a few days, then back to the Dentist to check all was well.

I hope all goes well for you.

[Holiday12345 in reply to Milkfairy]

thank you that’s good to hear. I can’t have the adrenaline local either due to a previous reaction. Many thanks for your reply

[Gibson01]

I had a tooth out while on Prasugrel antiplatelet, a couple of months after angiogram. Dentist put in a pad and told me to bite down for 5 mins after extraction. No problems with bleeding

[devonian186]

I am also on that med and when I saw my cardiologist last week on a routine follow up I asked that question and he said it was fine to have any dentistry procedure

[Janma123]

Hubby is on clopidogrel and apixaban and had 2 teeth out a couple of weeks ago - his appointment was in the morning and he took his tablets when we got back home - no problems.

[tapfoot]

I have just had a tooth removed and have two more to go. The dentist insisted I stop clopidogrel 2 days prior and checked again on the day. I also had 3000 mg antibiotic cover as requested by cardiology. The dentist has been happy to oblige.

[Exie8 in reply to tapfoot]

Antibiotic cover is important , not just for extractions but also for routine hygienist treatment. My husband has had two valve replacements and dentist and cardiologist recommend 3G amoxycillin to be taken an hour before hygienist appointment.

[tapfoot in reply to Exie8]

It is good to hear that some dentists do take this seriously. I also had antibiotics for the hygienist appointment. The cardiologist said it is so important that he wrote it in the letter to my GP so I can use it to inform the dentist.

[Exie8 in reply to tapfoot]

Our dentist wrote to my husband's cardiologist asking for guidance on this and received a very prompt and helpful response. So perhaps the message is for people to ask their cardiologist to advise their dentist on any precautions that need to be taken.

[Letsallhope1]

hello,

Hate dentist too! With all the heart surgeries I had you’d think that a trip to the dentist would be like a walk in the park to be but it just terrifies me.

I had a big molar extracted last year while being on Rivaroxiban (anticoagulant) and I was ok.

I also had a cardiac ablation and the cardiologist didn’t ask me to stop the anticoagulants.

I think you should just trust what the professionals are advising you.

Make sure you tell your dentist about the anticoagulants so he can take all the post extraction precautions to make sure you don’t keep on bleeding.

Good luck!