Do I need to stop my aspirin and clopidogrel (Plavix®) before I go to the dentist?
No. A good study has found that people taking aspirin bleed no more after having a tooth pulled than people taking a sugar pill. In addition, bleeding after a dental procedure can be controlled by direct pressure on the bleeding site until it stops. If you stop taking your medicines before one year of therapy, the risk of harm from a clot forming in your drug-eluting stent is greater than any harm that might occur from some extra bleeding. You should always talk to your cardiologist before stopping your anticlotting medication, even if one of your other doctors instructs you to do so.
