Need A Tooth Extracted? Know About Medications That Can Cause Complications
Posted on: 19 January 2018
Most people that need a tooth extracted will have a recovery that is fairly uneventful. Tooth extractions are safe and very common, but there are factors that can increase your risk of complications after the procedure. Here are some medications you should avoid due to the potential risks.
Anticoagulants
Prescription anticoagulants can be very powerful. These medications have the ability to make blood platelets within the body less sticky. While it's a phenomenon that is good for people that have a higher than normal risk of a heart attack, stroke, or blood clots, it creates a health risk for people that have a tooth extraction performed.
Anticoagulants are essentially blood thinners, which will give you a higher chance of prolonged bleeding occurring in the surgical site. They can even cause hemorrhaging after the surgery.
Always tell the dentist if you are taking blood thinners before you have oral surgery. Your dentist will advise you about when you should stop taking them, which can be around a week prior to the surgery date. In addition, your dentist might request to monitor you after the tooth extraction to ensure that bleeding around the surgical site is not abnormal.
Antihistamines
Do you suffer from allergies? If so, you're most likely taking an antihistamine to help you deal with it. It is a medication that is effective at managing all the symptoms, such as watery eyes, itching, and sneezing. Unfortunately, antihistamines can cause secretions to dry up, especially those in the surgical site.
Antihistamines could cause you to have a dry mouth afterward, which will extend your recovery time after a tooth extraction. Your dentist may have alternative suggestions that can prevent your mouth from becoming dry, and have you use oral rinses that will assist with washing away bacteria on your gums.
Beta Blockers
A beta blocker is used to manage hand tremors, blood pressure issues, anxiety, and migraines. They also will cause your mouth to be dry, which increase the chance of an infection or bleeding after a tooth extraction.
If you have been prescribed beta blockers due to an issue with your heart, you should talk to your doctor rather than your dentist, since they are the person that can tell you if it is safe to stop taking them temporary. Beta blockers should be gradually discontinued, so there will be a lengthy process involved to stop taking the drug temporarily for an oral surgery.
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