Aspirin is one of the most commonly used drugs in the United States. A 2005 study found that nearly 20 percent of all adults used aspirin daily or every other day, with usage increasing in older patient groups. Aspirin can help control the symptoms of certain health problems, but the drug can also cause dental issues in certain patients. Learn more about the benefits of aspirin and the issues you need to consider when it comes to your dental health.
Why people use aspirin
Aspirin is an antiplatelet medication that stops platelets in the blood grouping together to form blood clots. These clots pose a significant health risk, particularly in the vessels that supply blood to the brain or heart. If a clot blocks one of these vessels, patients may suffer serious consequences, including stroke or heart attack.
As such, many doctors recommend that patients at risk of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases should take aspirin daily to stop dangerous clots forming. Most doctors agree that a low daily dose of aspirin significantly cuts the risk of a life-threatening heart attack, although the drug isn't effective for everyone. One study found that around 28 percent of people are aspirin resistance, so doctors must also investigate other methods to control blood clots.
Daily aspirin and the risk of uncontrolled bleeding
Although a daily aspirin can effectively manage the risk of blood clots, the drug may cause other problems. Some patients experience gastrointestinal bleeding, while excessive aspirin doses can also lead to hearing problems like tinnitus. In some cases, aspirin patients can also experience a bleeding stroke, even though the drug stops blood clots forming. One of the main challenges with aspirin is that the drug thins out the patient's blood, which has led to concerns for some doctors and dentists.
If you need to have dental work, it's likely that your mouth will bleed during the procedure. This is a normal side effect of dentistry, but some people worry that a continued dose of aspirin during dental work could increase the risk of uncontrolled bleeding.
That aside, the American Dental Association does not recommend that dental patients stop taking aspirin while receiving dental care. Systematic reviews and analysis have concluded that aspirin does not normally increase the risk of bleeding during a tooth extraction. The American Academy of Neurology also recommends that patients continue with their regular dose of aspirin. Overall, the risk of clots if you stop taking aspirin outweighs the risk of prolonged bleeding.
Planning dentistry to control the risk of bleeding
Your dentist can help manage the risk of bleeding during dental treatment while you are using aspirin. He or she should schedule the treatment at the start of the day, as this gives the dentist more time to deal with any bleeding issues that arise later. Experts also recommend that dentists apply local anesthetic using an aspirated syringe, to cut the risk of trauma. Dentists can also carefully monitor and manage bleeding during and after treatment. For example, your dentist can use a special hemostatic material to pack a socket after treatment, which can cut the risk of further bleeding.
Aspirin and tooth damage
Some studies have also shown that aspirin can increase the risk of tooth erosion. During one of these studies, participants found that six daily doses of aspirin powder damaged the enamel and dentin of the teeth.
Further studies show that the problem generally only affects people who use chewable aspirin tablets. A study of children with rheumatoid arthritis found that only the kids who chewed the tablets experienced increased enamel erosion. A study by the University of Maryland Dental School came to a similar conclusion, discovering that tooth surfaces that come into contact with aspirin are at risk of erosion. As such, if you use chewable aspirin, you should talk to your doctor or dentist to consider ways you can cut the risk of tooth erosion.
Millions of Americans use aspirin every day to successfully control the risks of blood clotting. Like any other medication, aspirin use can lead to certain side effects, so it's important to have a peek at this web-site and talk to your doctor about the risks before you start using the drug.
