Hemophilia is a X linked recessive disorder where blood doesn’t clot properly due to deficiency of Factor VIII (Hemophilia A) or Factor IX (Hemophilia B).
What happens in Hemophilia?
People with hemophilia, have prolonged clotting time than normal because the clotting process is incomplete.
This can cause:
Excessive bleeding after minor injuries.
Joint bleeding (Hemarthrosis) and muscle bleeding.
Prolonged bleeding after dental extraction/ normal exfoliation of teeth
Normal dental exfoliation and Hemophilia
In patients with hemophilia, normal exfoliation of teeth can raise serious concerns. As it may lead to prolonged bleeding from the socket and can cause parent’s anxiety.
Simple measures that can prevent prolonged bleeding:
Gentle pressure with clean gauze
Cold application
Avoid frequent spitting
Apply teabags in the socket area as tea leaves contains tannins which promotes clot formation.
Role of dentist: Rubber band extraction
Dentist plays a crucial role in preventing bleeding complications. Rubber band extraction can be safely used in selected cases to loosen the primary teeth, which helps the dentist to do a safe and atraumatic extraction procedures.
Why oral health must be a part of hemophilic care
Good oral hygiene prevents many dental complications and prevents blood loss. Oral hygiene, early dental visits and family education are the key to reduce bleeding risks in hemophilic patient.
Is oral health the silent factor we keep missing in comprehensive hemophilic patient care?
Hemophilia should be properly diagnosed before any dental treatment, as it may cause life-threatening consequences if it is not known. Bleeding gums can be a common sign, which may be ignored. Proper and regular dental checkups are required.
This is a clear and important reminder that hemophilia care goes beyond clotting factors alone. Oral health often gets overlooked, yet simple preventive dental measures and timely dental involvement can significantly reduce bleeding risks and anxiety for both patients and caregivers.