Bleeding is common after dental extractions, periodontal treatment or oral surgery. Patients with anticoagulant, haemophilia or thrombocytopenic diseases may suffer immediate bleeding complications if preventive measures are not taken.

Such dental patients with coagulation problems require specific oral care when undergoing this type of intervention both during treatment in the dental clinic and afterwards at home. Any bleeding, if not controlled in time, could have serious consequences.

What recommendations are there for oral care in this type of patient? Let's take a closer look.

How do coagulation problems affect oral hygiene?

Daily oral hygiene to maintain and care for oral health is equally necessary and important in a patient who is in full health as it is in those with coagulation problems.

In this second case, there is an added problem, because when blood clotting and healing of any small wound does not occur properly, bleeding can be recurrent and very heavy.

While the healing of the skin already poses a great risk in the event of a blood clotting problem, in the case of the oral mucosa, precautions must be taken to the extreme. Due to the constant moisture in the oral cavity, the bacterial flora that inhabits it, and wound healing problems that can take much longer than usual, the risk of infection and other health problems rises exponentially in this type of patient.

General care for haemophilia and other clotting problems

Depending on the type of coagulation impairment of each patient, there are different levels of risk. A person may have congenital, acquired or transient coagulation problems if they are taking any type of treatment with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs.

In the most extreme cases, such as a patient with haemophilia, there are a number of care measures that are generally recommended:

• Avoid taking any medication that increases the risk of bleeding, including certain painkillers.
• Do not self-medicate, always consult your doctor about any health problem.
• Perform low-impact physical exercise on a daily basis.
• Follow a healthy and balanced diet, providing the nutrients necessary to maintain a good state of health.
• Maintain good oral hygiene, limiting the risk of gingival infections.

Oral care in patients with coagulation problems

A large proportion of the world's population is receiving anticoagulant treatment or has a coagulation problem without knowing it. In many cases, haemophilia and other thrombocytopenic diseases are diagnosed after an episode of oral bleeding.

This fact indicates the high risk of suffering gingival bleeding when oral health is not properly cared for, or in the case of not using the appropriate oral hygiene instrument for a correct daily brushing of teeth and gums.

As prevention against coagulation problems and symptoms derived from inadequate oral hygiene, dental experts recommend the following for this type of patient:

• Brush teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
• Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles such as the KIN Extra Soft Toothbrushto avoid damage that can lead to bleeding in the mouth.
• Use a special gum brush, such as the KIN Gingival Brush, for bleeding gums until the wound is closed. KIN Gum Brushin the case of bleeding gums until the wound is closed.
• Use interdental cleaning accessories such as dental floss and/or interproximal brushes taking care not to damage the mucosa.
• Rinse with a mouthwash containing antibacterial and astringent ingredients.
• Limit consumption of sweet or highly acidic foods and drinks, which attack tooth enamel, increase the risk of caries and irritate the gingival mucosa.

In the oral care of patients with coagulation problems, the importance of visiting the dentist every 6 months for a thorough oral health check is even more remarkable. Early detection of any type of infection, minor gingival damage or bleeding offers greater effectiveness of treatment.

What precautions should be taken in the dental surgery?

Anyone with coagulation problems should notify the dentist so that treatment can be tailored to minimise negative effects.

In any type of dental intervention, the chances of bleeding are high. This is why the astringent properties of tranexamic acid can be ideal for the care of gums and mucous membranes after surgery or periodontal treatments. Kin Exogel Tranexamic acid is the only mouth gel with 8% tranexamic acid specially designed for dental use. Its high bioadhesiveness allows a more comfortable and safe application, favouring the permanence of the active ingredient in the application area.

In all cases, it will be necessary to take extreme care of the operated area and to monitor the patient's recovery after the treatment, up to 48 hours later, or during the following week in the most serious cases.

All patients with coagulation problems should follow the particular recommendations issued by their health professional in order to ensure the success of the treatment, minimising the risk of complications as much as possible.