Visiting the Dentist

You should advise your patients on warfarin to inform their dentist that they are taking an anticoagulant.

Many dental procedures – including a simple extraction – can be carried out on warfarin. Many dentists use local measures to stop the bleeding from a dental socket after an extraction.

Anticoagulant treatment may need to be stopped for major dental work.

Warfarin is often stopped for 2 days before multiple dental extractions or more major dental work. Warfarin is usually restarted the same day at the maintenance dose as long as the bleeding has stopped.