Hemophilia and dental care: Managing oral health safely

Last updated Nov. 4, 2025, by Susie Strachan
Fact-checked by Joana Carvalho, PhD

Taking care of your teeth when you have hemophilia is about more than just brushing and flossing. As a bleeding disorder typically caused by genetic mutations that make it harder for blood to clot, even minor dental procedures can cause prolonged bleeding.

Planning ahead and working with your hemophilia care team, including your hematologist and dentist, can help you stay safe during dental care. Your doctor may recommend using clotting factor or other medications before dental treatments to help control bleeding.

Fortunately, with the right oral hygiene and care, people with hemophilia can maintain good dental health while managing their condition safely.

Why oral health is critical for people with hemophilia

Living with hemophilia means routine dental work may put you at a higher risk of bleeding.

Even simple procedures like cleanings or fillings can lead to prolonged bleeding if not managed properly. Safe oral care designed for hemophilia can help you avoid unnecessary bleeding, infections, and complications that may require more extensive dental work.

For example, one common cause of infection is tooth decay. If left untreated, the decay can spread, reaching the soft inner pulp of your tooth, leading to pain, swelling, and infection.

In more serious cases, your dentist may recommend a root canal or tooth extraction, both of which pose a higher risk of bleeding.

Another common dental problem is gum disease, which can cause your gums to bleed more easily and for longer than usual. Maintaining good oral hygiene and scheduling regular check-ups with your dentist can help prevent gum disease and reduce the risk of bleeding.

Daily oral hygiene tips

Maintaining daily oral hygiene habits, such as brushing after meals, flossing carefully, and using alcohol-free mouthwash, can help people with hemophilia manage their dental care safely. Some tips:

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush — which you should replace regularly — and nonabrasive toothpaste to gently clean your teeth and gums without causing irritation or bleeding.
Use an alcohol-free, fluoride mouthwash to help keep your mouth clean and reduce the risk of infections.
Avoid aggressive brushing or flossing, as this can damage your gums and trigger bleeding.
Use gentle strokes when brushing and flossing, and try an interdental brush to clean between your teeth.
Keep your mouth moist by drinking water frequently to help prevent dryness and gum irritation, which can increase the risk of bleeding.
Avoid sugary foods, drinks, and fruit juices between meals to help prevent cavities and maintain good dental health.

Managing bleeding and oral injuries at home

If you experience gum bleeding or a minor oral injury at home, try applying gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze to help stop the bleeding. You can also use a cold compress on the outside of your mouth to reduce swelling and slow the bleeding.

For more persistent bleeding, your doctor may have to prescribe fibrin sealants. Fibrin sealants mimic your body’s natural clotting process by applying a layer of fibrin, a protein involved in blood clotting, to the wound.

These are commonly used in dental or surgical procedures to stop or reduce bleeding, particularly in people with bleeding disorders like hemophilia.

If the bleeding does not stop after applying pressure or fibrin sealants, or if you experience significant pain or swelling, seek medical attention.

Preparing for a dental visit

When choosing a dental practice, take the time to research dentists who have experience in helping people with bleeding disorders maintain their oral health.

Hemophilia treatment centers in the U.S. and Canada may provide dental services or referrals to dentists who follow dental care guidelines for hemophilia.

Before your appointment

Prior to your appointment, discuss hemophilia with your dentist, including your specific type and any medication you take.

Part of creating a dental treatment plan for people with hemophilia is understanding which clotting factor is missing. For instance, if you have hemophilia A, your body lacks clotting factor VIII.

This knowledge can help your dentist and hematologist determine whether you need any treatments, such as clotting factor replacement therapy, before dental work.

If you have a dental procedure coming up that may cause postoperative pain, ask your dentist about pain management options that are safer for people with bleeding disorders. Avoid NSAIDs like aspirin, as these medications can increase bleeding risk.

Your dentist may schedule major dental procedures, such as extractions, in a hospital as a precautionary measure to manage bleeding risks.

During your appointment

It’s common for dentists to use local anesthesia to manage pain during procedures.

While some local anesthetic techniques are generally considered safe for people with hemophilia, others require extra caution.

Block anesthesia — where the anesthetic is injected near a nerve to numb a larger area of the mouth — carries a higher risk of bleeding because it is applied near major blood vessels.

Also, to help control bleeding during and after your procedure, your dentist may use methods such as applying pressure, using sutures, or administering local hemostatic agents to slow bleeding. The goal is to prevent excessive bleeding while minimizing the need for systemic clotting factor infusions.

Common dental procedures and hemophilia considerations

Talking with your dentist and hematologist can help minimize bleeding risks during and after some of the most common dental procedures.

You may need to schedule cleanings more frequently and use a soft-bristle toothbrush to lessen gum bleeding before check-ups.

Other considerations include:

talking to your dentist about hemostatic agents, such as fibrin sealants, to control bleeding during fillings
asking your care team about using pre-procedure clotting factor replacement therapy before more extensive procedures, such as tooth extractions
using orthodontic wax if you have soft tissue irritation after having orthodontic braces or other appliances inserted

Special considerations for children with hemophilia

Children with hemophilia can begin dental visits as soon as they grow their first tooth, typically around 6 months of age, and preferably before 1 year. Starting dental visits at an early age can help establish a care routine and catch potential issues before they become serious.

You may wish to have your child seen by a pediatric dentist. These dentists are trained to handle a variety of conditions that affect children’s oral health, including managing health care needs like hemophilia.

Your child’s dentist may take special considerations into account when providing dental care for a child with hemophilia. These include talking to you about:

how bleeding may last longer than usual when your child’s baby teeth are coming in or falling out
having regular dental check-ups and home care to prevent issues like gum inflammation and bleeding
preparing for any bleeding episodes that might occur during or after dental work
using hemostatic agents, clotting factor therapy, or antifibrinolytics as recommended by your child’s hemophilia healthcare team

Hemophilia News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.