Opiate Abuse/Sub Therapy and DENTAL ISSUES?

[nursegirl6572]

Chloe802 brought up an excellent topic, one that I would be very curious about.  I think a poll would be a neat way to see how many people are in the same boat?  Thanks for your participation!

[desertskys]

I have been taking opiates for several years. In the last couple I have had 2 extractions and 3 teeth that just broke and fell out. I don't have dental ins. and I am so scared that I'm going to need full dentures. that I can't afford.

[flmagi]

Trouble:     Look in the yellow Pages and find a dentist that does free intial exam. At least you need to get on some antibiotics.
I walked around with a large abscess for over a year. Ok, this is gross, but.....I took an exacto blade and perforated the abscess to give it some relief (not necessarily recommending you do that). Kept that up for a long time and just had 2 teeth extracted. I have 2 more teeth that are abscessed but aren't puffed up yet and can't afford to have them worked on either. Really *****!
Dam m drugs and Sub!

[troubleinohio]

hah, yes yes oh yes tons of dental issues here. however i had them before i was an addict, but Im sure my prolonged opiate use made them even worse. I just suffered a relapse about 3 and half- 4 weeks ago due to more dental problems (and this was after being clean almost exactly one year)

and now...........oh boy.......just over the weekend yet another tooth BROKE OFF below the gum line and is abscessed now. my gum is hugely swollen, red and sore as hell, it feels liek a tennis ball is under my tongue (its bottom molar and the swelling is bulging  towards my tongue instead of the other side of my gum towards the cheek skin) so my tongue keeps trying to push against this mass and im about ready to shoot myself. im scared to death what this means for me. no regular dentist is gonna be able to dig out whats left of my rotten tooth, its gonna need cut through the gum to get out and that means oral surgeon. i have no insurance...im so freaked out...

[opus88]

I'm just reading at random here tonight.....are you saying that oxycontin use will/can cause dental problems?? is that heavy use over extended time?
worried.....

[ChronicPain1]

Opiates can decrease your saliva production, and that can lead to tooth problems. Or so I've heard. I'm not an addict but over 2 years and no dental issues, so maybe everyone is just different.

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

When the damage is done.... about all that you can do is hope is that you have a good dentist - some procedures may help.... but sometimes it is just plain too late.

[dominosarah]

Tons of teeth issues here too.  sara

[nursegirl6572]

Wow, sounds like teeth issues are pretty common.  :0(

That's awful.  I'd love to learn more about this....like if the opiate/or Sub use is stopped, if the issues subside, or if the damage is done.

[flmagi]

I've been on Sub for about 1 1/2 years. Use to have really healthy teeth. Just had 2 extracted 2 days ago and  some of my others are having problems. My sisters are starting to have some teeth problems too (they're on Sub too). I think as far as teeth are concerned, Sub is a lot like methadone, which is notorious for messing with the teeth.

[liscamdave]

Without going into detail, I was severely addicted to Oxy Contin for almost 4 years and now have severe, severe dental issues...

[beatingthis]

Not sure if they are related. My teeth are good my bone in trash. I really think they may have played a roll in my teeth problems. I asked the doc about it and he said maybe.
Just had 3 teeth pulled and 2 implants put in. Need to have the same done on the other side. Good news is I have done this with just a little bit of pain meds!!!!

Terry