Methadone & Tooth Decay

I'm new to the site but find it very helpful so far.  I'm on methadone maintenance for serious opiate addiction (70mg/day).  I've been on methadone for over a year now and am about to begin the slow detox.  I've been noticing serious tooth decay lately and was just wondering if it's the methadone???  Has anyone else had this problem, and what did you do about it?  I brush my teeth twice a day, but still problems.  I even had to have a tooth pulled last week it was so bad.  Any info will be greatly appreciated.  Please help.......

[Katrina81]

I dont have personal experience with methadone but i have heard that its pretty rough on the teeth. I would see a dentist as soon as you can. Good luck beginning your taper you can do this! Keep posting here it helps

[mjax024]

from what i understand about methadone, the simple answer is no.....but, one main side effect is dry mouth, another is these drugs tend to pull calcium out of your system....when calcium levels drop and we have a lack of the anti-bacterial saliva that our body uses to flush our mouths...this is where the decay starts. there are a few sites out there with suggestions on how to slow or even prevent this, but i agree with katrina. try to see a dentist asap.

[tori1701]

Thanx for your comments.  I am seeing a dentist now, that's actually when I realized how bad my teeth had gotten over this past year.  And I do appreciate any encouragement with my upcoming detox.  It is going to be rough, but I want to be completely free.  I made the mistake of thinking methadone was best option, but now I realize it was just an easy way out.  So now the hard part is about to begin, but I am definitely ready.  I am really trying to work on me and my recovery more now: mtgs, counseling, psychiatrist, family counseling, out patient therapy, going to church, etc.  Any other recovery suggestions are greatly appreciated.  Thank you to everyone.

[mjax024]

when i stopped the opiates i found keeping a journal actually helped me alot....it gave me something to do to keep my mind busy during the worser parts of my wds...and it gave me something to reflect back on later in my detox and thru the cravings that will surely come in the months to follow. even after a couple weeks of journaling i was able to look back and see how far i've come and why i wouldn't want to go back to the pills again. other than that.....just keep talking, there's alot of awesome people here that want you to get thru this and will try to answer your questions and offer support. best of luck to you!!!!

[Katrina81]

You have great care lined up and the will to stop. Thats awesome. From what I get from meth it does cause dry mouth and the lack of natural bacteria killers in the saliva is what comes in to play. I know the dental industry makes things to help with dry mouth such as mints gums or mouthwashes. Could be worth looking into. Good luck!

[New2This2010]

Hey there I can tell you I've been addicted to Hydro's for about 4 years now and my teeth have gone to crap real fast. I too was wondering if it was related to the opiates or what but from the posts I read that makes sense as how they pull calcium out of your body and what not. I would like others said get to a dentist ASAP and try to get it under control. I have had 2 teeth pulled as a result and several more that need to come out and are right in front ugh! I guess trying to salvage at this point is all I can do, but ya go to the dentist tell em about the Methadone and see what they say as well.

[NicH74]

I have been on 110 mg/day for about 5 yrs now before that I was on 80 mg/day for about 3 yrs. (did the slow detox & within a week of my last dose was opiate addicted again). Anyway being on the 110 for as long as I have I now have 4 decaying teeth left in my head the rest have rotted away, methadone is a curse to your smile but it's better than being a junkie! :)  <3

[meth94]

hi tori i have been on 100 mg down to 94mg now for the last 8 months,i too am having the same problems i thought i was good with my teeth.it seemm about 4 mths after i started meth i noticed my teeth were getting bad and now i have to get 4 moulers out and lots of cavitys looks like im still spending lots of money on drugs but even though i am in a better spot now than i was without the meth just be vigilant with the dental i think being on this we just have to watch our teeth closely.i do  remember that i craved a lot of sweets so i believe that has a lot to do with it to .but still u r better off where u are now i know i am good luck