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Gum Bleeding After Brushing And Flossing, Blood Clot Between Teeth, Blood And Phlegm In Cough, Taken Plavix, Coumadin, Aspirin. Cure?
Question: Hi Doc,
I take 3 blood thinners (Plavix, Coumadin and Aspirin). Sometimes after brushing flossing and brushing, my gums would bleed a little. Last night I prepared for bed as usual (brushing and flossing) and I woke up coughing up a liquid. I went the toilet to spit it out and it was blood--very red. I spit again (smaller amount) and it was still blood. I looked in my mouth and I could see a blood clot forming between two teeth. I went back to bed hoping the blood clot, and did eventually. This morning, I was not bleeding but had to cough a little phleghm and it had some dark stuff in it---but when I cough phleghm it is usually clear.
Question 1---why all of sudden would I bleed to profusely from brushing and flossing.
Question 2---do you think the coughing up of the discolored (a little like dark brown but otherwise clear) was a result of my bleeding gums and...
Question 3---when I floss and brush tonight and if it starts to bleed again, how can I stop the bleeding?
I take 3 blood thinners (Plavix, Coumadin and Aspirin). Sometimes after brushing flossing and brushing, my gums would bleed a little. Last night I prepared for bed as usual (brushing and flossing) and I woke up coughing up a liquid. I went the toilet to spit it out and it was blood--very red. I spit again (smaller amount) and it was still blood. I looked in my mouth and I could see a blood clot forming between two teeth. I went back to bed hoping the blood clot, and did eventually. This morning, I was not bleeding but had to cough a little phleghm and it had some dark stuff in it---but when I cough phleghm it is usually clear.
Question 1---why all of sudden would I bleed to profusely from brushing and flossing.
Question 2---do you think the coughing up of the discolored (a little like dark brown but otherwise clear) was a result of my bleeding gums and...
Question 3---when I floss and brush tonight and if it starts to bleed again, how can I stop the bleeding?
Hello,
Thanks for your query.
I will explain you and answer your questions effectively. My explanation should help you understand it better.
In view of the bleeding from the gums, there’s a high possibility that your bleeding profile is deranged due to the use of the three blood thinners.
Please get the prothrombin time/INR done. If the INR is markedly deranged, it indicates that the dose of the blood thinners needs to be lowered and this lowers the bleeding risk.
It is extremely difficult to say why this bleeding started when you were taking the same dose.
However, what is important to know is that the dose needs to be lowered once the bleeding is observed.
The use of Vitamin K can lower the risk of bleeding but this should be used only after consulting a physician.
The coughing up of the discolored blood was likely due to the gum bleeding only.
My suggestion is to avoid using the brush till you see your doctor.
It is better to apply the dental cream at the end of the index finger and clean your teeth using the finger instead of using the brush as it is much less traumatic to the gums.
Please see your physician at earliest.
Hope this answers your query. Please do get back with these answers so that we can help you in a better way.
Wishing you good health.
Thanks for your query.
I will explain you and answer your questions effectively. My explanation should help you understand it better.
In view of the bleeding from the gums, there’s a high possibility that your bleeding profile is deranged due to the use of the three blood thinners.
Please get the prothrombin time/INR done. If the INR is markedly deranged, it indicates that the dose of the blood thinners needs to be lowered and this lowers the bleeding risk.
It is extremely difficult to say why this bleeding started when you were taking the same dose.
However, what is important to know is that the dose needs to be lowered once the bleeding is observed.
The use of Vitamin K can lower the risk of bleeding but this should be used only after consulting a physician.
The coughing up of the discolored blood was likely due to the gum bleeding only.
My suggestion is to avoid using the brush till you see your doctor.
It is better to apply the dental cream at the end of the index finger and clean your teeth using the finger instead of using the brush as it is much less traumatic to the gums.
Please see your physician at earliest.
Hope this answers your query. Please do get back with these answers so that we can help you in a better way.
Wishing you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Can you pls answer Question 3---when I floss and brush tonight and if it starts to bleed again, how can I stop the bleeding? Actually, I just want to know how to stop the bleeding if I floss or water pik......
rgds, XXXXXXX
rgds, XXXXXXX
Hello,
Thanks for writing back.
I can understand your concern for these symptoms. First of all avoid brushing or brush gently using a toothbrush with soft bristles. Avoid using commercial, alcohol-containing mouthwashes, which aggravate the problem.
If bleeding occurs then you need vitamin K (tablet or injectable) form to stop the bleeding occurring after taking blood thinners. These are available only under prescription.
Hope this answers your query. Please do get back with these answers so that we can help you in a better way.
Wishing you good health.
Thanks for writing back.
I can understand your concern for these symptoms. First of all avoid brushing or brush gently using a toothbrush with soft bristles. Avoid using commercial, alcohol-containing mouthwashes, which aggravate the problem.
If bleeding occurs then you need vitamin K (tablet or injectable) form to stop the bleeding occurring after taking blood thinners. These are available only under prescription.
Hope this answers your query. Please do get back with these answers so that we can help you in a better way.
Wishing you good health.
Note: Find out which dental treatment will work best for your teeth. Ask here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Radhika
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