Is it safe to get a dental cleaning while taking Eliquis (apixaban)?
For most people, a routine dental cleaning can be done safely while on Eliquis, because dental cleanings usually involve superficial work and limited bleeding risk. Many dental teams proceed without stopping apixaban, but the decision depends on how extensive the visit is and the patient’s overall bleeding risk (for example, kidney function, other blood thinners, or a history of bleeding).
Your dentist and prescribing clinician typically aim to balance two issues: avoiding excessive bleeding at the appointment versus avoiding clot risk from stopping Eliquis.
Do I need to stop Eliquis before a dental cleaning?
With routine cleanings (scale and polish), many patients do not stop Eliquis. Stopping or pausing Eliquis can raise the risk of stroke or other blood clots in people taking it for atrial fibrillation or prior clots.
If your dental visit is simple, ask your dentist whether you need any Eliquis adjustment. If your visit includes more than cleaning (for example, gum surgery, extraction, or deep periodontal work), your clinician may recommend a different plan.
What if my dental cleaning causes bleeding—what should I do?
Bleeding after a cleaning can happen even if everything is handled correctly. If bleeding is mild, dentists often manage it with local measures (pressure, topical agents, sutures if needed).
Seek urgent advice if bleeding:
- won’t stop after prolonged pressure,
- is heavy or rapidly worsening,
- comes with dizziness, weakness, or other concerning symptoms.
What dental procedures are different from a “cleaning” when you’re on Eliquis?
The risk and management can change if the procedure goes beyond routine cleaning, such as:
- extractions,
- periodontal (deep gum) procedures,
- biopsies,
- procedures involving significant tissue removal.
For more invasive dental work, some clinicians consider holding or timing the next Eliquis dose, but the exact approach is individualized.
How should I coordinate Eliquis decisions between my dentist and my doctor?
Bring details to the discussion:
- the reason you take Eliquis (atrial fibrillation, prior DVT/PE, etc.),
- your usual dose and timing,
- any other medicines that increase bleeding risk (like aspirin or NSAIDs),
- kidney/liver issues and past bleeding problems.
Then ask two concrete questions:
1) “Do you consider my procedure routine cleaning or a more invasive procedure?”
2) “Should I continue Eliquis as normal, and if not, which doses should be held and when should I restart?”
Patient checklist to ask your dentist on the day of the appointment
You can use these questions directly with your dental team:
- Will there be any extractions or gum surgery, or is it only scaling/polishing?
- Do you expect any sutures or significant tissue disruption?
- What local hemostasis steps will you use if bleeding happens?
- Should I take my Eliquis at my usual time before and after the visit?
Sources
I did not find Eliquis-specific guidance about dental cleaning in the provided materials. If you share your Eliquis dose (e.g., 5 mg twice daily vs 2.5 mg twice daily) and whether this is just a routine scale/polish or involves deep work/extractions, I can narrow the likely approach.