Could Blood Thinners Be Causing My Bleeding Gums?
By Murad Rashid | Published on January 14, 2011 | 0 Comments
Prescription medications can wreak all sorts of havoc on patients’ gums and teeth. Unfortunately, as Dr. Murad Rashid of the Dentist Place in Florida explains, the medical condition that the drug has been prescribed to treat is usually more important than any potential side effects or dental complications that could arise because of the medication’s use.
An emergency dentist in Clearwater, Dr. Rashid says that there are certain medications that can cause swelling in the gums, and there are certain medications that can make people’s gums more likely to bleed. In both cases, however, he would never recommend that a person discontinue the use of such a medication without first consulting with a physician or a dentist for further instruction. In most cases, people need the medications they are taking – whether that results in swollen and bleeding gums or not.
Although there has not been much research done on the effects that blood thinning medications can have on gums and oral health in general, Dr. Rashid can see where a patient’s gums may be more likely to bleed if he is currently on a prescription blood thinner. Dr. Rashid has never come into contact with a patient who struggled with this condition, per se, but goes on to explain that he can definitely see how problems might ensue if the gum tissue is inflamed to begin with.
If a person’s gum tissue is normal and healthy, then taking a blood thinning medication may not necessarily cause his gums to bleed. On the other hand, if a person is already suffering from a gum condition that caused minor amounts of bleeding to occur, then taking a blood thinner regularly could make him more susceptible to increased bleeding.
In general, blood that is thin is likely to bleed for a longer period of time before clotting. If a person on blood thinners were to cut his arm, for example, then he would most likely bleed more than someone not taking this medication. Because blood thinners are often used by people with certain heart problems, however, it is more important to solve such heart conditions than things like arm injuries or gum tissue bleeding.
Of course, Dr. Rashid says that the reason a person’s gums are bleeding could, in fact, have nothing to do with the medication that he is on. Bleeding gums could simply be a sign that a patient needs to come in for more regular cleanings.
Swollen gums, too, can be caused by a variety of factors such as trauma, disease, or certain medications. Rather than worrying excessively about what could be causing bleeding or swollen gums, Dr. Rashid recommends that patients get in touch with an emergency dentist for more specific information on their current conditions.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.