Influence of aspirin on gingival bleeding

The most common cause of gingival bleeding comes as a result of inflamation. However, it can ensue as a symptom in numerous systemic diseases, blood disorders, vitamin C and K deficiency, pregnancy and many other clinically recorded cases of which gingival bleeding as a result of anticoagulant therapy and aspirin intake is a distinctive issue. Aspirin is one of the most potent antiplatelet drugs. Low-dose aspirin treatment is indicated in many cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as heart attack, stroke or transient ischemic attack, atrial fibrillation, after a coronary artery bypass operation and many others. Aspirin is also recommended to people with an increased thromboembolic activity and those at high risk of stroke and heart attack, namely to the patients with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and smokers. The treatment is usually for life. A large number of clinical studies have shown that gingival bleeding can be caused or increased by aspirin intake, especially through an extended time period, even at doses as low as 80 mg. Bleeding is heavier at higher doses. This represents a significant problem to the patients who use aspirin therapy on a regular basis. Not taking into consideration the effects of aspirin on increased gingival bleeding on probing can also undermine proper diagnosis and treatment for clinicians. Since administering aspirin in many cases is the therapy of choice, it must be adequately implemented; otherwise, inadequate application of this therapy bears a serious risk of unwanted ischemic occurrences leading to considerable consequences. Keeping this in mind, other ways of confronting gingival bleeding should be put in practice rather than just excluding aspirin from therapy. Visits to the dentist should be more frequent, at least once a month or once every two months. The dentist should remove all causes of local irritation which can incite gingival inflammation since even the slightest inflammation can provoke gingival bleeding. Oral hygiene should be perfect since inadequate oral hygiene is one of the factors leading to gingival inflammation. Teeth should be brushed after every meal by appropriate toothpaste and toothbrush. Dental floss should be used at least twice a day. Brushing of teeth should be done in a careful manner in order to avoid injury to the gingiva. In addition, antiseptic dental rinses should be used. Dentaclean and irrigators can be of assistance in efficient removal of dental plaque from unapproachable tooth surfaces; at the same time, they massage the gingiva. Only a perfectly clean mouth without any irritations can significantly reduce gingival bleeding resulting from aspirin intake.