Oxycontin Damaged My Teeth (Page 36)

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 wish I knew about this before half of my teeth were gone! But it's very hard to solve the problem after the fact. I'm happy for you that you knew about it and didn't have this issue I wouldn't wish it on anyone. But now I can't eat and am missing almost half my teeth. Doesn't really matter what I do now. I look like trash.

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As a fairly long-term member of this forum, I understand and agree with your post. HOWEVER, what are the rest of us, who only found out after the fact and who've already lost half if not virtually ALL of our teeth supposed to do more, if anything, to replace our smiles? What you've done to reduce and/or eliminate the loss of YOUR teeth isn't going to do anything to help US! Monday morning quarter-backing is somewhat insulting to those of us who've already lost most if not all of our teeth. I do, however, commend you for being so successful and that the rest of those who are somewhat new to the process will take your advise. Blessings, Christine

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Thank you Christine!!! My point EXACTLY! I've lost half of my teeth already I'm with you....what are the rest of us supposed to do? I was a bit insulted as well. I'm glad its not just me!

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The same exact thing happened to me! I'm 49f, and single mother of an 18 year old. My teeth were not as healthy as yours sounds perhaps, but they should not have crumbled and literally fallen out, breaking off in bits and pieces! I have fibromyalgia and have been on oxycodone and oxycontin for years now. This happened maybe more slowly for me, however I am left with only one front, and one other small tooth on top. And only my lower seven front teeth! I feel trauma really from losing my comfort in smiling in public, and I know that soon I will also not be able to eat many foods. It's definitely a hopeless feeling knowing that I need an actual miracle to have some teeth! I wish I could sue them, lol! Just wanted to say that I am another one with this problem. Thank you for sharing this and giving me a place to share as well.

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I very well know what you're talking about! But it's not the drug itself that rotted your teeth it's that the drug causes dry mouth.Basically all central nervous system drugs can cause dry mouth. If your mouth doesn't get enough saliva bacteria will takeover and cause tooth decay. I've been on methadone for close to 38 yrs and I brushed my teeth twice a day and within 10 years I had to have them pulled and got dentures.

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I've been on slow release morphine & for a long time was on dipianone until the Drs worked out that the dipipanone was costing them around £1500 per month so they put me on OxyContin. I suffer from SLE, Srogrens Syndrome (which causes a very dry mouth & dry eyes too) I lost my first bottom tooth when I was 49, I cried when my dentist said it would cost between £1500-£2000 per tooth! I've also got something wrong with my back to the extent I can no longer walk anymore! The above drugs barely touch the pain although when I forget to take them, the pain is indescribable! My lovely GP left & the new Dr stopped my OxyContin, stating it could cause tooth decay! I had my answer why I'd now lost most of my teeth. I never asked for them in the first place. I too had beautiful teeth. I didn't drink tea, coffee, alcohol, nor carbonated drinks. I don't even smoke! I've been agoraphobic since my teeth have all broken! I can't work anymore because I'm unable to walk, so I can't afford implants, the thought of dentures fill me with dread! I'm sure because I wasn't warned this could happen someone is culpable? I brushed & flossed twice daily! I've even stopped going to hospital appointments as I can't bear people seeing me. Plus I see teeth everywhere, on TV not just on stars, on ordinary people, I see my old friends on social networking, still with their teeth. Toothpaste, mouthwash & toothbrush adverts kill me! I'm constantly reminded, sometimes people post an old picture up of me, I just stare at my beautiful teeth I once had! There must be something that can be done? I kept the GPS letter claiming the medication I'd been on can cause rotten teeth or tooth loss! I was never told about tooth loss even when I'd been diagnosed with Srogrens Syndrome which makes your mouth very dry, nor was I told when I was put on slow release morphine, dipipanone or OxyContin! Do I have a case to have my teeth replaced with implants?

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This has happened to me as well! All of my top teeth have had to be removed and all but 8 of my bottom but have now list 2 of those and counting.My teeth have ALWAYS been clean white &healthy never had a cavity until
Age 28 and have kept up with all recommended preventative routine dental care only 2 cavities until regular use of the pain med.I do NOT OR HAVE NOT USED OR ABUSED DRUGS/STREET DRUGS.I do have Lupus diagnosed 8-9 yrs ago & thought mabe it was the culprit but now I believe with all my heart it was/is the Oxycontin. I have had thinning hair as well,while again have always had long thick full healthy hair,the longer I take
med the worse it looks,until 2 weeks ago... after trying evetything under the sun &spending a fortune,I decided to give up the fight and cut it all off ! :( I have been so Devastated! As if living &dealing with almost non stop pain,sleeplessness and discomfort every day and having a life that revolves around monthly rx refills before you can plan anything or go away and being at a physicians mercy forever just hoping he is in a decent mood before every appt.or worse yet praying he is doing things legitimately so that you go back to him only to find his office has been shut down,& hoping everyone you must deal with treats you with just a little compassion &respect instead of a dirty drug adict is not bad enough!!! So i was wondering about how many others have you discovered suffering this same sad misfortune &horror?

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Don't you think we should get help from the NHS to get implants, we were put on these drugs with absolutely no knowledge we'd lose our teeth? It's not in the list of side affects, our GPs didn't tell us until locking the stable door after the horse had bolted! I've been on these prescribed drugs for many years but only found out about a month ago about the tooth decay or breaking teeth! Surely we have a case here? I've given up on life as I'm so ashamed! I'm talking & writing to people on social media that although are a least 20yrs my senior, they have their own teeth! Lots of people who want to get in touch with me, I make up an excuse the same when I'm invited to an event, I miss these people so much but I can't face them! I've become agoraphobic also I have a fear of seeing people too! Ok I'm not able to walk because of very painful lower back problems, but I've cancelled all my appointments! I'm too ashamed because of my teeth! So someone must be to Blair? & culpable to pay for implants!

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I couldn't agree more!! I would think we have a case too! I was never told that I'd be losing my teeth at 36 because of these meds I need to be on. Someone should be held accountable!

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This also happened to me. After being prescribed oxycodone 30mg after a failed cervical fusion. It did not take long, about 8 months of taking 30 mg 4 times a day which was increased to 6 times a day after six months. I also asked my doctor if these meds affected teeth and he told me NO as long as you swallow the pills with water. I always swallowed with water and never, never used them in any other form. I also have never used any street drugs and make no mistake my mouth looks like I've been doing methamphetamine my whole life. There should be a warning on these meds for tooth loss. Never in a million years would I have taken these if I had been warned of this side effect. They warn of the addiction but do not even hint that you WILL lose all your teeth. Something should be done to these big Pharma's that unleash such disasters on the public without sufficient research.

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If I were you I would go ahead and get them pulled. You will feel alot better and once your gums heel you can get a set of dentures or even better implants.Then you can smile till ur hearts content! :-)

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Don you said EXACTLY what I'm going through! I talk to people on social media but don't want to leave the house due to my self awareness and embarrassment! I too have been on slow release MS Contin and was never told that there was a tooth loss or disintegration side effect! I had beautiful teeth, my parents payed for braces when I was younger and I was then in a serious car accident where my boyfriend was killed due to a drunk driver and I almost died as well! I survived after multiple surgeries and pins and rods in my joints, leg, knee and ankles and crushed my pelvis! I was told I would never walk and in hospital for 6 months to heal with many surgeries, then PT to learn to walk and put on these meds! I walked and was taken off them but always had pain, over the yrs getting worse and worse with arthritis, bulging, herniated discs and many other problems I won't get into! But I had to go on the meds again over the yrs and now I have lost my teeth, like they disintegrated and wore down and no warnings were ever told to me about these meds doing this! I think we all should get together and form a legal suit since obviously we all pretty much have had the same side effects! I am so scared to even start the process of getting the teeth I have pulled and the roots where the teeth have broken off ! I'm ALSO EMBARRASSED to even go to the dentist for the fear of being labeled or just have made myself afraid of life in general as well ! I really feel they should have had warnings with these meds and I have read the inserts on a lot of meds and it doesn't state it ! We all know the myth of a drug addict having bad teeth but I have brushed and done all the right things ! I was very pretty and had a nice smile and now I don't even have that ! They have things called 4 on 4 as far as dentures but they are permanent ! They put 2 posts in top and 2 on bottom to put the teeth in ! I am only 47 too looking at all the tooth commercials and every add at others teeth and getting more depressed ! We need to get together all of us ! I just moved to Albany ny area from NJ to be with my daughter and can't even find a pain doctor here to give me the little bit of meds I do take now ! Even with records of my injuries and U/A's and pill counts that were all fine from my doctor in NJ / which is A WHOLE OTHER UNFAIR PROBLEM A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING THROUGH TOO! Because of the actions of certain people and doctors, those of us with legit pain have to suffer! So pain and no teeth makes a depressing combo! I hope someone will get back to me {edited for privacy}. GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS Don and everyone else on this forum! I totally understand! Love and friends Val xoxo BUT I WILL SIGN AND IM SURE YOU ALL WOULD TOO TO MAKE THESE COMPANIES HELP US! Thanks for reading Guys!

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My husband and I are both on oxy and my husband's teeth are rotting from the inside out. My teeth are weak and I didn't know one was even loose and woke up choking on it I swallowed it in my sleep. I agree they need to let you know and to let u know that their putting u on heroin.

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omg!!! Same thing is happening to me. They keep takingmy short term país meds away and they raise my ms contins!! Im losing All my teeth and from the gum line. There fine on top . Its the craziest n paínful Thing.

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Hi Valerie I come from the UK & the cost of an implant ranges from £1,500 to £2000 it's ludicrous, I'd been suffering in silence about my teeth getting worse & worse like you I had beautiful teeth, I brushed twice a day, flossed finishing with mouth wash, I only drink bottled water! I had no idea what was causing this on going, depressing nightmare! It's not vanity! I'm ashamed, I don't want to see anyone, in fact I've expressed most of my feelings on here! I've got lots of root canals to be carried out too, I can't see an end to end to it! Then late last year a new Dr took me off Oxys I'm still on slow release morphine though but the letter states that Oxys can cause severe tooth damage! There's my proof! I've written to my surgery regarding this that was months ago, I've heard nothing! Someone needs to pay for what's happening to us, I don't want 'false teeth' in a glass on sterident in a glass next to me, I want implants that incidentally strengthen your jaw! I'm not able to walk at present because of problems with my lower spine & I don't want to, the thought of bumping into someone freaks me out! All my friends have their teeth! I'm so low, every TV advert about anything tooth related depresses me so much! I don't even go to important Medical appointments anymore! I do wish we could something together to get the manufacturers to cough up but living in different parts of the world would make that difficult wouldn't it? xxx

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Sorry to hear about your situation. I to had beautiful white healthy teeth then about the age of 35 I started getting cavities, rotten and my teeth would be fine and within 2 weeks would be so loose. My dentist was also stumped. He too asked me if I was doing drugs or had HIV. Within a year I had lost all my upper teeth and 3 in the back of my lower. Today I have a full upper and lower set. I'm 53. But in 2007 I learned that I have Lupus SLE which can cause havoc on the teeth and gums and mouth. Since the Lupus wasn't being treated my bone were loosing it's strength and my teeth were becoming loose. Now I hadn't been sick to the point of extra medical issues it was discovered during a different routine. Did fine until 2011 and Lupus started showing its ugliness. You may want to check that out. Check your local health centers. They may have some info that can help with your situation. Good luck and Blessings.

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I am going through the same thing and I don't know where to go to get help. It's not fair that not to.be in pain you take this and then you are blamed that this happens to your teeth. Someone should help.

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I'm posting to your 9 year ago post, but I feel I should say something. It's nine years later and I'm going thru the exact situation now. I take oxycodone and I have for 14 years. I'm not a abuser but all my teeth are crumbling away, and the bad thing is I had nice teeth for the last 13and half years that I've been on pain medicine. In the last 6 months went from a nice smile to a jack_o_lantern in this short time. I'm just like you I won't date because of it and I don't even hang with friends no more. I don't have money for dentures so is I will become one lonely person. Why couldn't they put this problem on the warning label, like you mentioned nine years ago!!!!!!!

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I have told my story about this dangerous drug (Oxycontin & Oxycodone) many times on this site but many more people are leaving messages about losing their teeth, so I will tell it again!!! I've been on these drugs since 1996, shortly after they came out. In fact, the Rep for Purdue was in my Dr.'s office the day of my visit and he informed me that he had just been told about a new narcotic THAT WAS NON-ADDICTIVE!!! Of course I was interested, since I had just been diagnosed with SLE (Lupus) and was in so much pain I couldn't continue to work. Of course, the Rep failed to tell my Dr. that a one month supply of 60-40mg. pills were going to cost me $700!!! The sad part was that they were so effective that I felt like I was going to get some of my life back. So what did I do??? I borrowed money from family, went through my entire savings, etc. just to afford these pills every month. I was so stupid & so misinformed!!! I have now been on a 20+ year rollercoaster with these drugs pretty much ruining every aspect of my life. They are indeed very addictive, and back when I began taking them, there was no mention in their lists of side effects of your teeth rotting out of your head!!! I was a fairly attractive woman but now with no teeth in my head, I'm too embarrassed & humiliated to go and try to find help. I beg anyone taking these drugs to really consider what you're doing to yourself. If you're like me, with the massive amounts of pain I suffer with on a daily basis, you have no choice. One other thing I'd like to mention is you need to consider that if you ever have any other type of painful illness or any type of accident, no hospital in the world will be able to give you enough pain meds even to keep you comfortable. I've since has two surgeries and two operations, and I felt like I was dying. When I told my Dr. after having my Gallbladder removed how much pain I was in, he rudely chuckled and said that was what he had been trying to warn me about for years. In regard to my teeth, it took 13 years before my teeth starting falling out of my head. Literally. Within four months, I had lost all but three of my teeth. I had never even had one cavity in my life. I'm so sorry for all of the people on this site and others who are suffering with this horrible problem. But please don't be like me and practically become housebound because your too embarrassed to get help. Thank you for taking time to read this.

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I think we should get help with implants for the med companies. We have to take these meds and if we don't who now what could happen
I would think that there is away to get help with implants. I have never had teeth problems until my meds depression anxiety chronic neck and back pain several surgeries and more. We had no choice we took them to have a somewhat normal life.

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