You only have one set of adult teeth, and they need to last until you are 80, 90, or beyond. The actions you take towards your teeth today will either benefit you or harm you in the future. Of course, good dental care starts with seeing a dentist regularly. You should go in for cleanings and checkups, and any other time you think something might be amiss with your teeth. Education is important when it comes to any aspect of your health, so start reading the articles on this website to educate yourself about dentists and dental care. We promise that when you're 80 and you still have your teeth, you won't regret the time spent.
The Tooth of the Matter: A Dental Blog
Causes And Treatments For Heavy Oral Bleeding
Sofia Curtis
While minor bleeding when brushing your teeth is not abnormal, extremely heavy bleeding from your mouth, or oral hemorrhaging, requires emergency dental care. An oral hemorrhage can be caused by various factors. So before your dentist can treat it, he or she needs to determine the underlying cause. Here are some causes and treatment options for an oral hemorrhage.
Blood Clotting Conditions
Blood clotting disorders often cause abnormal bleeding, including heavy oral bleeding. If you have a health condition that affects the way your blood clots, you may experience heavy bleeding during your oral care routine. If you have a clotting disorder, tell your dentist before undergoing a teeth cleaning procedure or oral surgery.
When your dentist knows about your bleeding disorder, he or she will closely monitor you for oral bleeding and will quickly intervene if oral hemorrhaging occurs. Management for oral hemorrhaging depends on the cause.
If your dentist believes that you have a clotting disorder, he or she will refer you back to your primary physician for further evaluation and treatment. Clotting disorders can be congenital, or they may be caused by certain medical treatments or even infections. Severe anemia may also cause abnormal bleeding from your gums and other soft tissues inside your mouth and throat.
Anticoagulant Drugs
Oral hemorrhaging may also be related to anticoagulant drugs. These drugs are prescribed to prevent blood clots, cardiac events, and stroke. They can stop your blood platelets from clotting effectively, resulting in abnormal bleeding.
In addition to oral hemorrhaging, anticoagulants may also raise your risk for gastrointestinal bleeding, blood in your urine, severe nosebleeds, excessive bruising, and, in some cases, bleeding in the brain. While prescription anticoagulants are more likely to cause oral hemorrhaging, aspirin may cause excessive oral bleeding as well.
To lower your risk for prolonged or heavy bleeding from your mouth, talk to your physician about lowering the dosage of your anticoagulant. If you take a daily aspirin to protect your heart, never stop taking it until your doctor tells you that you can do so. If you are at high risk for a heart attack or stroke and you stop taking your daily aspirin, you may experience a life-threatening cerebral vascular or cardiovascular event.
If you experience heavy bleeding from your mouth when you brush or floss your teeth, see both your primary care doctor and your dentist. Once a diagnosis is made, a treatment plan will be recommended. If you suddenly start bleeding from your oral cavity, seek emergency dental care or go to the nearest hospital for treatment.
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