Q: How careful does a dental patient need to be with aspirin?

A: Aspirin is an effective pain reliever. Medical doctors also recommend some patients with heart disease take a daily low dose -- less than 100 mg, for instance. Because it thins blood, there's been some concern about whether a patient should stop taking aspirin before having oral surgery. Studies have shown that patients who take a daily low dose of aspirin may not have to stop taking it before having a tooth extracted. It's important to remember, never put aspirin directly on gums or a sore in the mouth because the acid in aspirin can severely burn the soft tissues in the mouth. A study published last summer in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that people who chew aspirin over a long period suffer severe erosion to both the enamel and dentin of the teeth they use to crush aspirin. If you are a regular aspirin user, talk to your dentist about the proper way to use it and about any concerns related to oral surgery.

Presented as a service to the community by Peter A. Tzendzalian, DDS.