Oxycontin Damaged My Teeth (Page 32) (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.

REPLY

REPORT

Have u tried nucynta ER for chronic pain? I just started I have no dry mouth but it does not work well. I just wonder do you or anybody knows anything about it?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I totally agree with you ppl should not be judged cause of there pain,anxiety and deppersion. I'm sick of being judged I can't find true love I'm sad lonley depressed I get used and taken advantage of I'm done. I have enough sleeping pill benzodiazepines and subutex to end it. I don't see any hope just because a person has nice things don't make them happy. I'm done I have had it I'm 42 all I want is a nice SWF I prefer kids cause I never had any of my own but I can't find that. Why live in misery everyday why dred waking up in the morning. Why go on anymore? So why not end the suffering and I can't began to tell y'all my suffering. I wish y'all luck. I'm going soon so don't pity me i had my chance and blew it. Good bye and good luck. No need to respond I want be around to read it

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I wish you would get the help that you need. A ruined relationship isn't worth ending you life. You have value and need to speak to someone.
Hang in there! People care.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

ANGELA: I know this is old, but I had to comment. I find it interesting that your dentist said your mouth looked like an "opiate addict's mouth". Opiates themselves do not cause tooth decay. Most of the time, the bad teeth that can accompany opiate addiction are from outside sources related to the addiction, but not the drug itself. (I am a 30 year+ opiate addict). I have also heard that pill forms of opioids are WAY worse on teeth. As far as the dry mouth that Verwon mentioned, I have never had that as a side effect. Maybe that is more of a side effect, again, of pill forms of opioids. The thing is, most addicts are complete and total sugar addicts as well. That is the reason I ended up with dentures at the age of 35. Now, my dentures were done REALLY well, and they look natural. I had big, straight, white teeth already, so they do not look "fake" on me, as they can on others. And they are so well-fitting, I do not even use the denture adhesives. But as I said, opiate addicts are all complete sugar addicts, plus most of them smoke cigarettes (which reeks havoc on the mouth) as well as the lifestyle many of them have of not taking care of themselves, living in bad environments, and not going to the dentist. Most of my 30+ I have been what you would call a "working junkie": I have a straight laced spouse, a job, a home, a car, and all the outward signs of "normalcy". I am not the stereotypical junkie on the corner or up in an alley. Now methamphetamine users and coke addicts? THAT STUFF will completely and totally WRECK your teeth. But an opiate itself? Not really. Good luck, and maybe consider some dentures or implants. Just make sure you go to a really good, reputable dentist. As I said, mine look totally natural!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hey what happened to the lady that thought 30mg of the same meds was stronger than 60mg of it?? I mean come on. She must have road the short bus to school lol. Made me laugh in a long time

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I know because my mom was a dentist. Dry mouth will cause tooth decay I don't how I can proof this too y'all I can't send X-rays on here. True i was an addict since 07 after my back sugery. And I have had other surgies since also a broke neck to months ago. I'm . I useto word with doctors I know dry mouth will cause decay tooth rot. I'm lucky I have kept most of my teeth. There are products on the market that will help dry mouth. I used to be in the medicial field. I can give y'all numbers and y'all can call them. Just let me know also ppl on here are taking too much pain meds. It makes it harder on the rest of us. Your gonna have too take some pain. Doctors tell me I can't give you enough to take all the pain. Good luck

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

LISSY: Whether there is a "god" or not is your personal opinion, and has nothing to do with this website. AGAIN, this is a site about medication, not your religious views. It is an inappropriate post for this site. You have been reported.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Angela, yes oxycontin will decay the teeth from the inside out...as a matter of fact all opiods will do this as well as non opiate medications. I was injured quite severely overseas in 2003, I was prescribed the usual morphine at varying doses as well as percocet which is the same as oxy except oxy has no acetaminophen in it...oops did I spell that right? Anyways...I graduated to the oxy at 80 mg but i abused them by no fault of my own...Angela there is a way out of the high dosage witbout getting sick...i was taking 8 per day and sometimes 10...take yourself down with the aid of Kratom...go to Kratora and buy as much Maeng Da kratom as you can... Take at least 3 grams in about six ounces of OJ and that will certainly help...kratom acts like morphine and the withdrawals are only fatigue and minor chills for a couple days...I'm a former Special Forces soldier and i will not bulls*** you...kratom is amazing...as a matter of fact I still use it today on top of a very minor dosage of opiates supplied by the VA...I wish I could help more with the teeth issue as I have had to fight to keep mine intact...but first thing first...cut down on the amount of opiates with the help of the kratom...I wish you the best and I'll pray for you. Oh yeah one more thing about opiates...when you drop the dosage there is a nasty little thing called depression caused by the opiates. I not only had to deal with that but PTSD as well...You can do it ! As far as your teeth are concerned...most often with opiate tooth decay you will need implants or dentures...I am going for about 4 implants to keep my smile. Take care, best of luck!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

PS, KKH... Regarding your statement, I was certainly not meaning to belittle anyone...", I want referring to anything YOU said, okay? Thanks and be well! Christine :)

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Ok then please provide me with scientific proof of how opioids and other meds rots your teeth that has nothing to do with dry mouth. I'm serious, please enlighten me.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

SEAN: Heroin is an opioid, and it does not "rot your teeth from the inside out". Just sayin..

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Really honey don't say that about not being around! I FEEL that way many days too but we have to live the best we can with our pain and addictions and everything! I was mad at you at first cause of some of the things you said but I realize you dont see that you were judging people and sticking up for your mom who was a dentist etc, so I hope you stroll around to read this honey cause you have too much intelligence and a long life ahead that you never know what will happen! Youre a man and can have kids till Youre 80 so it can still happen ok! Peace and I hope youre feeling better. Please write me anytime! {edited for privacy}. Love is always here for you. Love Valerie xoxo

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi Christine , I'm so sorry I never saw your message , I hope and pray all turned out well for you with the cancer scare and hope youre doing ok and I think you r so sweet and kind and I will pray you r ok !! You r funny too my fellow toothless friend in pain Lol you made me feel better when I read this tonight and I really want to THANK YOU FOR THAT as I was sitting here alone as usual lately in depression worrying about HOW I'm going to get my teeth done ! I wish we could corespond with each other more but they dont let you leave your # or email but they notify when a new post comes on here ! Anyway Thankyou again and I hope I hear good news from you , peace to you ! Love always , your friend Valerie xoxo

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

In a swab test can the seel1mg lorazapam and 2 mg clozopam at the same time or thet have differnt ingredients .

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Lissy, I understand your beliefs and dedication to your faith, but there are those of us who have also been on heavy opiate pain meds for a very long time, such as myself, that have quit and didnt look back. Posting a comment that only those who have a relationship with Jesus will be ok and able to quit heavy pain medication use over long periods of time is very misleading and actually fairly dangerous to those that come to this site for info and help. While I respect your loyalty to your faith, its not right to post that everybody you know that used or still uses pain meds is either dead, in prison or still addicted, is very irresponsible. This could totally mislead some person suffering from Chronic pain, takes or is thinking of taking opiates or other pain meds for their pain but then reads your post and reacts any number of negative ways. I realize you didnt post your comment meaning to cause anybody any problems or try to mislead them in any way, but basically saying that only Jesus, or God can save you from opiate/pain med addiction, or else you will probly end up dead, in prison or still addicted is again, irresponsible for those that have zero experience or understanding of long term, or even short term opiate/pain med usage and their ability to quit and stop using them when and if their pain subsides etc. It would be much better to comment that for those that have religious beliefs, and/or believe in Jesus, and/or God, can lean on Jesus and/or God for the strength to quit opiates/pain meds.
Instead of saying that basically only those that believe in Jesus/God will have the ability to quit otherwise you will probly end up either dead, in prison or still addicted to opiates/pain meds. Many people that come onto this site for help, advice, info or just to discuss their medical situations have a very limited knowledge of opiates/pain meds and are very naive regarding the affects, issues and/or understanding of what they're getting themselves into. Again im not trying to lecture you or jump all over you, im just asking to please be careful what you post as your words can be taken wrong by those that have limited knowledge of opiates/pain meds unlike you and me.
Thanks :)

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Yes, i was on oxy for about a year or more, now just about every tooth i have has either rotted &fell out or broke off at the gumline.i think a class action suite should be done to make the makers of oxycodone pay for fixing our teeth whatever way we want them fixed. Does anyone know of any class action suite being brought against them yet???

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Sorry for what's happened to you. I am in the same boat. My dentist is honest with me and won't fix my teeth as he knows that it is futile. Many of my teeth have broken and it is causing me great pain. Looking into full dentures now and many places have financing. There goes the vacation ! Good luck to you and you are right. ....doctors should know about this !

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hello, Valerie, and I apologize for replying so late (and to you, too, Mailman! You're always thanking me for being there for you but you have no idea just how MUCH your KIND WORDS have helped ME!) My cancer scare was very difficult but I can happily report that the growth was removed without complication and pathology concluded that it was BENIGN, THANK GOD! On the other hand I, just like the rest of you, continue to experience tooth decay and loss with no end in sight. My depression has increased exponentially and I've become even more reclusive than ever. If it weren't for the fact that must go food shopping, for me AND my 86 year old mother who has been experiencing more and more health issues that I have no choice but help her with (and which I do so gladly) but, if it weren't for her, doctor's appointments and trips to the pharmacy, I must admit that I wouldn't have much live for. This is a painful and lonely way to live that not only do most people not understand but who often label you as an addict with a death wish. The choice is a simple one.... PAIN OR LESS PAIN.....each bringing with it their own complicated and emotionally painful consequences. People like us are basically placed in a corner which, no matter which way we turn to try and get out, end up looking at a bad outcome and having to decide which is the lesser of two evils. Bottom line, there no way out and you, my forum friends are the only ones who ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND and I thank you all for being there for me. I mostly thank those who have thanked me, of all people, for helping you. It's THE only thing I have left that gives me any sense of worthiness. God bless all my painful and toothless friends and let's just always remember to be there each other, support each other, no matter what as it's sometimes the thinnest and most fragile thread that holds us here. Christine

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Nancy, I'm about to borrow a hellva lot of money from my mother just to replace teeth that were strong and healthy only a few years ago. Now im in and out of the dentist's office spending thousands I cant afford.
A class action lawsuit does sound like a good idea, there is no way the maker of Oxy didnt know about this major life-changing, and extremely expensive side-affect. Damn rights they should be sued, its not like they cant afford it and we all definitely need our teeth back. If you come across any info please post it to this page and convo ok? I will also.......

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Posters,

All of the opioids cause dental erosion. In short with the fabulous dental work being done today if you can get restoration (I too have provided proof to the insurer and will do so again about this phenomenona) you can get implants in just two areas for example with a bridge to pop in and out.

Attempting to save teeth that have suffered erosion is futile. Those teeth once identified are likely no longer capable of holding up and rather then suffer infection which can also kill you, restoration at many of the large groups in major cities can get a full mouth done in several days perhaps giving you a better smile than before. Many groups also offer financing since so many just cannot afford $20 to $40,000 on a full mouth restoration.

Do not let the teeth rot to the bone or restoration with say 4 implants and 2 bridges is impossible. Your bone underlying the eroded teeth must be stable enough to hold an implant. So try to get this handled before it's too late.

My top pain specialist recommended full restoration for me in 2010 and in the Court Orders which so many have read about on my case (see update in trending post on 'who prescribes pain medication') I must get a new evaluation. However, here is the kicker with legal suits, first of all those who have real intractable pain get high cortisol levels; it is like being in constant fight or flight response and this also causes it; so the IP causes dental deterioration as well.

Hope this helps and hope all are doing well...

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

ive been on these for about 7 years and was just asking coz my teeth are slowly getting worse also on oxynorm amitriptol...

24 REPLIES

Has anyone else noticed that OxyContin 20mg wears off before 12 hours? I'm waiting for the extended relief pain meds...

4 REPLIES

I pulled a good one. My RXs were not in sync; one for extended release one week and the other immediate release the next...

5 REPLIES

Hi..I am currently taking OxyContin 20mg 3xdaily, Percocet, Zanaflex, Neurontin & Trazodone for the chronic pain tha...

4 REPLIES

My doctor recently put me on Oxycontin 15mg (twice daily) and he said that it would take a week for the medicine to reac...

2 REPLIES

I know my maroon/brick red color 60 mg oxycontin was replaced with a VERY believable look alike by a so called friend an...

I have a rx for 60 mg oxycontin and I can't find a pharmacy to fill. I just took last one and I don't want to ge...

2 REPLIES

Diagnosed with Ahlers-Danlos Syndrome almost 12 years now... I have chronic pain everywhere as all my joints are bone on...

8 REPLIES

I read some of your articles. I have knee problems, and had surgery on hold for slip disc in my lower back and in my kne...

2 REPLIES

NEED HELP PAYING FOR MY OXYCONTIN, I TAKE 80MG 3 X DAY . PLEASE HELP ## PRUDUE PHAR HELPED ME A COUPLE YEARS AGO WITH MY...

7 REPLIES