WARNING ON ASPIRIN Many of us are on low daily doses of aspirin as part of high blood pressure treatment or because of a heart problem. That's because aspirin thins the blood. It is also a proven pain reliever and an anti-inflammatory agent. So,it is a safe, reliable piece of our medical kit. We do, however, have to be careful with its use. One danger it poses on the medical front is the practice by some people of chewing aspirin. They may have a fear of trying to swallow a pill. Rather than waiting for a pill to dissolve in water, they'll pop it into their mouth and crush the pill with their teeth. That can severely damage tooth enamel. It can also harm the soft tissue of the mouth. Studies have found that a steady diet of aspirin chewing can significantly erode teeth. Another dangerous practice is to pinch an aspirin tablet between cheek and gum as a treatment for a toothache. The acid in aspirin can literally burn the soft tissue. Since aspirin, as cited above, is a blood thinner, you want to make your dentist aware of the fact that you take it regularly. It may be a consideration if you are scheduled for any oral surgery. Naturally, you should tell your dentist about any medications you take. Talk more with your dentist about the role of aspirin in your life. Presented as a service to the community by Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave., Suite 130, Downers Grove, IL 60515 630-663-0554 WARNING ON ASPIRIN Many of us are on low daily doses of aspirin as part of high blood pressure treatment or because of a heart problem. That's because aspirin thins the blood. It is also a proven pain reliever and an anti-inflammatory agent. So,it is a safe, reliable piece of our medical kit. We do, however, have to be careful with its use. One danger it poses on the medical front is the practice by some people of chewing aspirin. They may have a fear of trying to swallow a pill. Rather than waiting for a pill to dissolve in water, they'll pop it into their mouth and crush the pill with their teeth. That can severely damage tooth enamel. It can also harm the soft tissue of the mouth. Studies have found that a steady diet of aspirin chewing can significantly erode teeth. Another dangerous practice is to pinch an aspirin tablet between cheek and gum as a treatment for a toothache. The acid in aspirin can literally burn the soft tissue. Since aspirin, as cited above, is a blood thinner, you want to make your dentist aware of the fact that you take it regularly. It may be a consideration if you are scheduled for any oral surgery. Naturally, you should tell your dentist about any medications you take. Talk more with your dentist about the role of aspirin in your life. Presented as a service to the community by Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave., Suite 130, Downers Grove, IL 60515 630-663-0554