--- title: "Blood Thinners and Tooth Extraction: What To Tell Your Dentist" description: "Taking a blood thinner and need a tooth pulled? Learn what to tell your dentist, why not to change a medicine on your own, and how bleeding is handled." url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/blog/blood-thinners-and-tooth-extraction-what-your-dentist-needs-to-know publisher: Town Center Dental phone: +1-636-273-5866 quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment --- # Blood Thinners and Tooth Extraction: What To Tell Your Dentist Tell your dentist about every medicine you take, including blood thinners and aspirin, before an extraction. Do not stop or change a medicine on your own. Any change belongs to your doctor, in talks with your dentist. The ADA says local measures can control bleeding. RestorativePublished October 26, 20264 min read ## What should you tell your dentist before a tooth extraction? Tell your dentist about every medicine you take. That includes blood thinners, aspirin, other prescriptions, vitamins, and supplements. Cleveland Clinic says to be sure to tell your dentist about any medications, vitamins, or supplements you take. Mayo Clinic adds that some of them may cause problems with blood clotting. Do this at your first visit and again before any surgery, even when you think your records are current. Bring a written list of names, doses, and the reason you take each one. Say when you last took them. This helps the team plan a [tooth extraction](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/tooth-extraction) around your health. ## Should you stop your blood thinner? No, not on your own. Please do not stop, skip, or change a dose of any medicine because of a dental visit unless your doctor tells you to. This post cannot tell you what is right for you. Here is what the American Dental Association says in its review for dentists and doctors. Any suggested change to the medication plan before dental surgery should be made in consultation with, and on the advice of, the patient’s physician. The review also says there is general agreement that in most cases, older blood thinners and antiplatelet drugs should not be altered before dental procedures. It explains the reason too. Without these medicines, patients face a higher risk of blood clots, which could lead to stroke or heart attack. That is a summary of a clinical review. It is not advice for you. The right plan depends on why you take the medicine, which one it is, your other health conditions, and how complex the extraction is. Your doctor and your dentist decide this together. Call your doctor’s office, tell them the date and type of dental work, and ask them to speak with your dentist if needed. ## Why do people take these medicines? The ADA review explains that blood thinners are prescribed for people at high risk for blood clots or who have had them. That includes people who have had a clot in a deep vein or the lungs, and people with an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation, which raises the chance of clots. The review also says antiplatelet drugs are used by people who have had a heart attack or have had a stent placed in a heart artery. These are serious conditions. This is why your dentist wants the full picture and why the choice about your medicine belongs with your doctor. ## What medicines does the ADA review cover? Group Examples named in the ADA review Anticoagulant (older) warfarin (Coumadin) Antiplatelet agents clopidogrel (Plavix), ticlopidine, prasugrel, ticagrelor (Brilinta), aspirin Direct-acting oral anticoagulants dabigatran (Pradaxa), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), apixaban (Eliquis), edoxaban If your medicine is not on this list, tell your dentist anyway. The list is not complete. Over-the-counter aspirin counts, so mention it too. ## How do dentists manage bleeding? The ADA review says bleeding after dental work in these patients can be controlled with local measures. Those measures include firm pressure, special dressings that help a clot form, stitches, and in some cases a medicine that helps keep the clot from breaking down. Your dentist chooses the steps that fit your case. The review also notes some other health conditions can raise the risk of longer bleeding, such as liver or kidney problems or blood disorders. In these cases dentists may consult your physician first. So tell your dentist about your full health history, not only your blood thinner. ## What can you do at home after the extraction? Follow your dentist’s written steps, and use these basics from Cleveland Clinic: 1. Fold a piece of gauze and place it over the site. Bite down gently for 15 minutes. Repeat as needed. Our glossary explains [gauze pressure](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/gauze-pressure). 2. Expect to ooze small amounts of blood the first night. Cleveland Clinic says this is normal. 3. Skip strenuous exercise for 48 to 72 hours. A faster heart rate can cause more pain and bleeding. 4. Do not poke at the site or rinse hard, since this can dislodge the protective [blood clot](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/blood-clot-socket-clot). For people who take blood thinners, MouthHealthy says these medicines may cause gums to bleed and to contact your physician if the bleeding does not stop quickly. If firm pressure does not slow the bleeding, call your dentist or your doctor right away. ## What if you also have other health conditions? Mention them. The ADA review lists several that can raise the chance of longer bleeding after dental work: liver problems or heavy alcohol use, kidney failure, low platelet counts, hemophilia and other blood disorders, and cancer chemotherapy. If you have one of these, your dentist may want to talk with your physician first. Health history is part of the plan, not an extra. ## What questions should you ask? - Should I talk to my doctor before this extraction? - Which steps will you take to control bleeding? - What should I do at home if the site bleeds? - Whom do I call, and what do I do if the office is closed? The last question matters. Town Center Dental is closed Friday through Sunday, so ask what to do if you need help when the office is shut. For more on aftercare, see our [tooth extraction aftercare guide](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/tooth-extraction-aftercare) and our post on [dry socket](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/blog/how-to-avoid-dry-socket-after-an-extraction). See the entry on [post-operative instructions](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/post-operative-instructions) for how to read your aftercare sheet. ## Next step Learn about [tooth extraction at Town Center Dental](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/tooth-extraction). Before your visit, make a list of your medicines and talk with your doctor. Then call (636) 273-5866 or [request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment) and tell the team about every medicine you take. ## Frequently asked questions ### Should I stop my blood thinner before a tooth extraction? Do not stop or change any medicine on your own. The ADA says any change to a medicine plan before dental surgery should be made in consultation with, and on advice of, your physician. Talk with your doctor and your dentist before the visit so they can agree on a plan. ### What do I need to tell the dentist? Cleveland Clinic says to tell your dentist about any medications, vitamins, or supplements you take. Mayo Clinic says some can cause problems with blood clotting. Bring a written list with names, doses, and the reason for each, and say when you last took them. ### How do dentists control bleeding in patients on blood thinners? The ADA review says bleeding can be controlled with local measures. These include pressure, special dressings, stitches, and in some cases a medicine that helps keep the clot from breaking down. Your dentist will talk with you about which steps fit your case and what to do at home. ### What if the socket keeps bleeding after I go home? Cleveland Clinic says to place folded gauze over the site and bite down gently for 15 minutes, and repeat if needed. MouthHealthy says people on blood thinners should contact their physician if bleeding does not stop quickly. Call your dentist or doctor if it keeps going. ## Terms on this page - [Dry socket (alveolar osteitis)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dry-socket-alveolar-osteitis) - [Post-operative instructions](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/post-operative-instructions) - [Blood clot (socket clot)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/blood-clot-socket-clot) - [Tooth extraction](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/tooth-extraction) - [Gauze pressure](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/gauze-pressure) - [Gums (gingiva)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/gums-gingiva) ## Sources 1. [ADA: Oral Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Medications and Dental Procedures (physician)](https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/oral-anticoagulant-and-antiplatelet-medications-and-dental-procedures) 2. [ADA: Oral Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Medications and Dental Procedures (summary)](https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/oral-anticoagulant-and-antiplatelet-medications-and-dental-procedures) 3. [ADA: Oral Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Medications and Dental Procedures (why)](https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/oral-anticoagulant-and-antiplatelet-medications-and-dental-procedures) 4. [Cleveland Clinic: Tooth Extraction (tell your dentist)](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22120-tooth-extraction) 5. [Cleveland Clinic: Tooth Extraction (gauze)](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22120-tooth-extraction) 6. [Mayo Clinic: Dry socket (clotting)](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-socket/symptoms-causes/syc-20354376) 7. [MouthHealthy (ADA): Bleeding Gums](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/bleeding-gums) Written by Town Center Dental and checked against the sources above on October 26, 2026. Dental guidance changes, so check the linked page, and ask your dentist about your own care. ## Keep reading - [Tooth Extraction Aftercare: What to Do Each Day and How to Avoid Dry SocketAfter a tooth extraction, protect the blood clot in the socket. Bite on gauze to control bleeding, use ice for swelling, eat soft foods, skip straws and smoking, and rinse gently. Dry socket usually shows up in the first three days. Follow your dentist's written instructions and call if something seems wrong.](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/tooth-extraction-aftercare) - [How To Avoid Dry Socket After a Tooth ExtractionDry socket happens when the blood clot in the empty socket fails to form or comes out early. You cannot always prevent it, but you can lower your risk. Skip straws and tobacco, rinse gently, eat soft food, and follow your dentist's instructions. Call if pain grows after day two.](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/blog/how-to-avoid-dry-socket-after-an-extraction) - [Your Child's First Dental Visit: When To Start, What To Expect, and When Teeth Come and GoThe ADA and the AAP say to schedule your child's first dental visit after the first tooth appears and no later than the first birthday. Most visits are short. The dentist checks the teeth and gums, talks about cleaning and habits, and plans future check-ups. Baby teeth start to come in around 6 months.](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/childs-first-dental-visit) - [Dental crowns: types, lifespan and what to expectA dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that covers a weak, broken or worn tooth. Cleveland Clinic gives an average lifespan of five to 15 years. Metal, porcelain and resin crowns differ in look and wear. Most crowns take two visits, and your dentist numbs the tooth first.](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/dental-crowns-guide) - [Dental Emergencies: What Counts, What To Do First, and Who To CallA dental emergency is a mouth problem that needs care right away, such as uncontrolled bleeding, severe pain that medicine does not ease, or a knocked-out tooth. Call 911 or go to an emergency room for trouble breathing or swallowing. Otherwise, call your dentist. Town Center Dental is closed Friday to Sunday.](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/dental-emergency-guide) - [Why Does My Tooth Hurt After a Crown or Filling?Mild sensitivity and gum soreness after a filling or crown are common and often fade in a week or two. A bite that feels high, a throbbing ache, or pain that lingers after hot or cold needs a call to your dentist. Do not wait if swelling or fever appears.](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/blog/why-does-my-tooth-hurt-after-a-crown-or-filling) ## Ready when you are [Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)