Oxycontin Damaged My Teeth (Page 31) (Top voted first)

Has anyone else known oxycontin to rot the teeth? I used to be on vicodin until my doctor told me I needed to switch to a morphine based meds. She put me on ms contin but I had problems with it so she put me on 80mg oxycontin. Eventually my body built up a tolerance so she kept raising it, i have am now on from 4-6 per day of the 80mg tabs. It scares me that this is what rotted my teeth because only 5 yrs ago i had only 2 cavities that needed filling and then only 1 yr after going on the oxycontin i had to have all my top front teeth pulled as they where rotting from the inside out the dentist said my mouth looked like a heroin addict's mouth looks. He said it was shocking to him that normally he only saw such damage from someone who abused drugs with so much dental damage, but i have never done any street drugs and have only take my meds as prescribed to me. Now i have lost 80% of my teeth and as a beautiful 41 yr old mother its devastating. I cant afford dentures and sure cant afford implants like i would like to have. I am a single mother and refuse to date because i have lost my teeth now, i had beautiful teeth before i started on the oxycontin and only 2 small cavities that needed filling. Does anyone else have this same problem and if so why hasn't the company making oxycontin warn patients of this possible problem?

If i had known this would cause me to lose most of my teeth i would have never agreed to go on it. Of course my family doctor who has been prescribing them tells me she hasn't heard of any other cases, yet when i researched the med online there where others like this why hasn't something been put in the warnings about this med, i sure would have preferred to have lived in pain the rest of my life rather than lose my teeth and be unable to even eat now. My health has gone downhill fast as i cant even chew foods necessary for good health. All I can eat now are yogurts, and liquid type of foods which isn't much. My kids are 7 and 9 yrs old and they watch me cry when we go out to eat and they order steak, and i can smell it but can't order one as i know i wont be able to chew it. This is so devastating for me. I want teeth so badly if i could wish for anything in life besides not to be poor anymore it would be to have a full set of real teeth or implants but i could never dream of having them, and i don't know anyone out there willing to just help me get any either. I have always helped others all my life, but cant even help myself, i have had to have 29 surgeries now since 1991 when a drunk driver hit my car and caused me major injuries with my lower back and knees, i have had a full lower back fusion and 8 arthroscopic knee surgeries until a year ago they finally had to do a full right knee replacement and now they are talking about doing my left knee soon.

So my life has been up and down with surgeries and i would go thru one more surgery just to have teeth implanted if i could. but i could never afford it, but i would like to know why these drug manufacturers are making a medication that could cause teeth to rot like this without warning us patients or even warning the doctors about it. This is just terrible of them i think, as now i am the one paying for this by having no teeth to eat with at such a young age now. I am a vibrant young 41 yr old at 5'3, 120lbs, slim woman, nice looking too as i was a model in my younger days, so i keep my looks up. But to have no teeth now... I never smile anymore, I am to ashamed to smile even though it wasn't my fault i lost my teeth. I think they should pay for me to have new teeth but no one wants to admit that the med causes it, but my diet wasn't the problem back when i started the medication and i wasn't drinking coca-cola either or doing street drugs so i know that wasn't the cause either. The only thing that changed within one year to cause this was starting the oxycontin medication. Well, if anyone out there can help me let me know thanks.

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I need to get off a very high quantity addiction of Oxycodone. I will run out of my pills soon with only 25 left. What is the best way to start the withdrawal and how should I manage the pills???

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Posters,

A dentist who does not recognize this from chronic opioid use should be fired.

All opioids do this. Hence no legal suit however, if you had a comp injury and had to be on pain management which is still open, file it with them and a dentist and your pain specialist to document it.

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SO NICE TO HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN, MAILMAN! I feel your pain, as I always have. I know it might sound trite, but do try to have the best possible holiday season. At least you have family who understand you and the reason behind how you feel about yourself but they LOVE YOU nonetheless! My very best wishes to you and your family!

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Not when you are not informed by Dr or lawyer and WC case gets closed. I was not aware of the decay by dentists, doctors or lawyers. 15 years after major spine trauma I started losing my teeth!

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I am also having dental issues. I am a 32 year old man. I have always had great teeth and have always taken goodcare of them. I had braces when I was ten. Three years ago I had my gallbladder removed and doctor removed my bileducts and I have had major reconstructive surgery. I also have to have monthly outpatient procedures to keep tube running my liver/bile production. I use oxicontin for pain management and hydrocodone for break through pain. Needless to say in 3 years I have spent close to 6k in dental work. And when you have had the same dentist since you were 12, he was concerned with my dental health. He told me that the oxicontin numbs the nerves in your teeth and your siliva glands slow down and the teeth start to die. I just went to dentist yesterday and I think I will have to do implants or something soon. 6 new cavities and a cracked tooth.

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Hello from Las Vegas, NV.
I've been on oxi on and off for the past several years due to, a modified radical mast., failed breast reconstruction, then severe back problems. I have problems w/ my teeth also. I appreciate you all sharing!
Good luck to all of you and stay strong mentally and emotionally...meditation helps too. xo Nancy SB

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Hi Christine. My name is Valerie and always had a beautiful smile, parents paid for braces and care and I was in a terrible car accident at 17 and been on and off meds for yrs but got on ms contin like in 2009 and my teeth are all eroded down and most r gone except in the root but its going to the bone! Like others I've been focusing on trying to get rid of pain but now i see all these posts about teeth problems! I certainly am going thru the pain, less meds because of the people who r more addicts overdosing then pain patients, and now this horrible tooth situation! I'm so embarrassed I dont even want to go to the dentist and have become a hermit literally except to go to doctor, get meds and some good and then go home! I had my daughter and sister go to the store for me too if I didnt have to! But looks like im living alone cause my daughter has been staying with her boyfriend but needless to say I would be willing to help you with any type of case, for getting teeth fixed as to whatever I can do! I'm sorry you're going through this and I feel your pain because I'm going through the same and I am on disability too that took yrs to fight even with numerous injuries and doctor reports! I just found letters my mom had wrote back in late 90's to try to make sure I had some income and med care! I got it it 99 but my mom passed away in 2010 of cancer or also all that she did to help me probably killed her too! Don't mean to be blunt but just speaking how I feel! If you want to talk message me anytime {edited for privacy} and I hope we can be happy again one day and get our Smiles back and our meds strait and maybe more income too ! Keep up your sweet persons and good luck to you! Love and friends Valerie (if I dont answer right away its cause im not on here everyday but will try to be knowing of you and others going thru this too) Peace and a pain LESS night ahead to all ! XOXOX

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Lucky I've been through the same thing with the Lyrica cause in 2010 I had most all my teeth except a few removed towards the back due to pain ! But i had a beautiful smile even when taking many pain meds , fast forward to 2010-11 I started on lyrica and went on higher doses since and my teeth have totally broken, deteriorated to the bone. With roots in but no teeth except a few molars but they r down to the gum and terrible and I'm embarrassed even to go to the dentist ! But i never heard about anyone else with this problem from Lyrica I feel too , just like me ! Peace and maybe you can tell me how they did your teeth if you did have them fixed cause im very nervous about it and have put it off staying home becoming a hermit in the process of pain , meds and embarrassment ! I hope you r better some and good luck to all ! Love Val XOXOX

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I am a 62 yr. old female who has been on oxycotin for a while. After taking it for a few yrs. my teeth all began to rot from the inside out. I had to have them all pulled, and got dentures and have a hard time wearing them. I know just what you are going through. I think people should be informed that this can happen to your teeth and given the the option weather to take it or not. If I would have known I would lose my teeth I would have never taken it.

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I HAVE walked a mile in your shoes. I was a heroin addict for 6 years and now have been on methadone for 14 years. So I have been on opiates/opioids for 20 years. I still have perfect teeth while everyone in my methadone clinic has bad teeth and they ALL say 'the methadone is rotting my teeth'.
THANKFULLY I have had the same awesome dentist since childhood and when he started seeing sudden fast decay he asked me if I was abusing drugs (because he has known me since I had baby teeth). I admitted I was on heroin and HE is the one who taught me about dry mouth rotting teeth and how saliva is a tooth protectant..He guided me to Biotene EARLY in my addiction and keeping my mouth moist has SAVED MY TEETH.
If you don't believe me...look it up.
'Do opioids cause dry mouth?' 'Does dry mouth cause tooth decay?'.
Biotene even has a commercial that addresses all of these things.
Why would you just ASSUME that I haven't 'walked a mile in your shoes'? That is very presumptuous.
You just have a dentist who either a) couldn't waste his time to teach you this stuff because he doesn't care about your oral health or 2)he is stupid and doesn't know.
I'm trying to teach you how to keep your remaing teeth out of the godness of my heart, but if you find that to be insulting...there's nothing I can say.

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When people begin to judge and compare it might be time to stop this thread. We all agree that dry mouth ads to tooth decay other then that none of us is in a position to judge her, her dosage or her doctors dosage. Maybe less is more when sharing info especially about opioids.
I have learned but for the grace of God go I, she shared asked for feedback why giver her a hard time it sounds like she has enough right now to deal with.
If you can't stay on topic or be nice who is a none to sis seat her docs a charlatan? I think some docs who push Harvoni are getting kick backs but until they get caught or people have a ton of life long sides we are all just Guinea pigs for big pharm. let's put this to rest.

I wish everyone healing there are solutions, it takes time and $$ but implants are wonderful. They can do wonders today I wish I had a pic of before and after. Ignore your teeth and they will go away!

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I agree with you and thank you for the comment! This forum is for those of us who are dealing with both pain AND the side effects our prescribed medications have caused us (both physical and psychological), an outlet where wee can share in our frustrations, sadness, and depression. This is not, as you pointed out, the place to judge ANYONE FOR ANYTHING! And, like I said in my own similar post, keep your negative and/or judgemental comments to yourselves, they are NOT welcome here!

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TRY SUBOXON OR 1 OFF THE OTHER BUPRENORPHINE MEDS IT HELP ME I WAS ON 120 MG METHADONE FOR PAIN MANG. DAILY . LAST 4 YEARS ON SUBS AND MOTRIN 2 TIMES A DAY AND I DOING GREAT.

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No, apparently we DON'T all know that dry mouth caused by several medications is actually what is REALLY rotting these poor soul's teeth because I am getting spammed with people actually DISAGREEING with me without even looking anything up first to throw some actual medical fact at me.
I am just hearing the tired old accusation that I I have been hearing for 14 years from ill informed addicts saying "methadone is rotting my bones and my teeth". PEOPLE, type these 2 questions into your smartphone, and TAKE HEED of the source of the article. Make sure it is a reputable medical publication and not just more addicts elsewhere stating OPINION.

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Yes divia I'm in super pain for 20 years my mom was a dentist. I know these drugs over time will make u lose your teeth. I just broke my neck, I get norco only 3 per day. Tell me what is your pain. Maybe I could help you.

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I am still shocked that so many people are taking doses of something so addictive that are nearly 100 times as high as what I've been taking with good pain management for very bad pain myself. I'm not blaming the patients, but the doctors. The highest dose I've ever taken outside the hospital is of Oxycodone, not Oxycontin, at 15 mg. Those of you taking 80 mgs have prescribers who don't care what happens to you in the long term. I've been on this drug for over 12 years with absolutely no harmful effects. I'm sorry to hear of your troubles, but I believe you have been victims of bad doctors.

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Matthew I can tell you what every dentist is going to tell anyone on meds. I have seen so many dentist its not funny. My entire mouth has implants (almost) I have been to 3 dental schools and numerous dentists. They ALL say the same thing there are multiple reasons why people lose their teeth, genes, is the # 1 reason. Why did I lose so many of mine and my mother and bro had almost zero cavities?
Yet my father lost his to gum disease in his 30s? Answer~today they understand gum disease.

Here is what you can do, accept that your teeth are in the condition they are in. Go for deep cleanings, that means periodontal twice a year. Deal with it as difficult as it may be. The reasons that dentist will say, I asked ALL of them that would be at least 40. #1 sugar as a child, genes, trauma with no explanation what trauma is. They will say the same thing ALL MEDICATIONS affect teeth differently, most of all its dry mouth. If you use or have a history of drugs YES THEY STIGMATIZE you and say neglect No one wants to hear it but some if it is true.

I was in tears I looked like a jack - 0-lantern but made it a priority to fix my teeth! It took years and lots of mistakes I walked around with temps in for years. NOT a good idea there is more opportunity for decay. There were many mistakes made from dental students I had low funds. Somehow I worked here and there and people helped when they could. Today I can smile but I don't own a home or an apt either its all in my mouth. Priorities. Its expensive even in a dental school. I also had veneers, they lasted about 8 years and cost @$700.00 each it was a waste now that I look back but temp fix.

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First of all what Dr prescribes you 6 to 8 80 mg oxycontin daily and then question no 2 is what insurance pays for something that is supposed to last 12 hrs. This doesn't !sound logical

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Anyone know of that dr. That's who I need to see because I sure have plenty of medical evidence to back it up and I only get 2-60 mg oc s and 3-10 mg percosett daily

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I had a hard odd lump come up under my jaw overnight and it turned out to be cancer stage 3 lymphoma. Had to go through chemo which was awful but it cured it for a year now. Sure weakened my bones though. I've had two vertabrae fracture since. Good luck and God bless!

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