Tooth extraction on blood thinners

Strangely enough Jaxjacky, we’ve been to the emergency dentist this morning, as my OH had excruciating toothache and the side of his face was extremely swollen. He, too, is on blood thinners, and the blood loss was minimal, following the extraction. He takes one tablet at midnight and the extraction took place 10 hours later, so he can resume his medication tonight. Obviously, you’ll need to discuss your concern with your dental surgeon. I’m sure all will be well.

I have had this done on several occasions. Dental and \GP advice is to just stop taking the Apixaban two days before the procedure and re-start as normal the next day. It will be fine. Check with medical professionals first, though. All situations are different.

Thank you both

My dentist said stop 1 day before.
Mine is a different anticoagulant.
I have to stop 2 days before for a hip operation.

DH on rivaroxaban took his daily pill at breakfast time and had tooth extracted at 2pm same day. No excessive bleeding. Gum is healing well, but the injection site is still painful. Have the paracetamol ready.

Agree that you should check with your dentist. Apixaban and related medications have a predictable effect on blood clotting, so the risk for severe bleeds is low and you don't need a lot of bloodwork, BUT the effects of the medication are not generally reversible. Your dentist can tell you when you stop them prior to surgery for this reason, and when you can resume them safely afterwards.

Funnily enough I was at the dentist this morning discussing the same problem. I'm on Rivaroxaban and have a molar that needs to come out. After looking at the X ray she said keep taking it as she doesn't expect any problems.

Don't forget some thinners/anticoagulants have a longer half life than others.

I spoke to the Warfarin clinic about this very thing a couple of weeks ago. They said I would have to stop taking my Warfarin three days before I went to the dentist, but I should ring the dentist beforehand to discuss it with them. Good luck! 💐

Our dentist keeps all that information on file.

My husband takes edoxoban and has previously had an extraction and carried on taking it. In December he had another extraction and carried on with the medication. All seemed fine until 4 days later when he woke up to find it bleeding. We tried the gauze pads which our dentist had provided to bite on should this happen. It didn't work so we then saw a pharmacist who was no help. With it being a Saturday and no doctors open we had no choice but go to A&E. After 8 hours and trying various things it finally stopped bleeding. If it hadn't we had been warned that as there was no one available to stitch it with it being the weekend my husband would have had to go to a hospital another 30 miles away. You can be sure that if he has an extraction in future he will stop his medication 2 days before.

Hello, I recently asked my chemist about this, and he advised speaking to your dentist themselves.
I know it's generally a three day break from taking my medication for certain procedures, but the chemist said the dentist knows what's needed in each case.
Best of luck.

I was told stop 1 day before for edoxaban extraction.
I take mine in the morning.
It will also depend when you routinely take it (because of half-life).

Also which tooth is coming out...

Thanks all, I’m seeing my dentist Wednesday for a check up, we will discuss it then, I am grateful for your experiences.

Hi Jacjacky. I recently had an extraction and forgot to tell the dentist I had been out on Clopidogrel. Fortunately it all went OK and it is now listed on his records! I did have to stop taking it for several days prior to an operation last month and nothing happened while I was off the medication. Hopefully all OK for you now?

My husband was on 2 blood thinners and the dentist forwarded him to a dental hospital ( turned out to be just a unit - nothing special). In fact , although he stopped the med. for one morning there were no problems.

If you go to the anticoagulation clinic on a regular basis for your INR This needs to be within certain parameters which your dentist will require. The nurse will be able to tell you what level of medication to take to attain the level required.

It's always best to check with the professionals rather than online forums. We're all different and only they will know your medical history. Forums such as this, although lovely and well meaning, can only give you personal experience, not an informed, professional opinion.

Good luck with the extraction. 🙂

I’m on Apixaban for life. I have a clotting disorder and suffered pulmonary embolism after a long haul flight - so I understand your concerns!

I’ve had a couple of operations and a few procedures - was instructed for all of them to stop Apixaban from two days before, then resume the day after the op. I was as concerned as you are at first, now it’s just a matter of course. You’ll be fine!

Your dentist will be very knowledgeable about your condition. They are highly trained in all aspects of their profession.

Discuss this with your dentist and with your GP or whoever put you on blood thinners. There are such a lot of people on blood thinners these days, that they must be aware of the problem.

I cannot advise, as I have the opposite problem, being unable to process Vitamin K properly, so I bleed too much!

My husband had a low platelet count which caused more bleeding, and he had his tooth extractions done at the hospital. Apart from being safer, it was free!

DH paid £280 at dentist last week. 😲