Oxycontin Damaged My Teeth (Page 27)

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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REPORT

Ps. Organizing and staging a rally and picket in front of pharma company itself, and calling local and national media would be a dream come true and give us best platform to start our plight and begin our story to be heard and covered, but I can't do it all myself, I know people have lives and very busy as I am, but anyone who is serious ab helping and wants something done ab this, please let me know , so we can begin some kind of communication other then hear, although this is still a grate place to still keep everyone informed and gather as many people with this problem as possible ?

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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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Emerson, count ME IN with anything that might being us a step closer to remedying the injustice of it all and I'll do whatever I'm capable of, both physically and intellectually, to further or cause! Your plan is solid and I believe you definitely have the passion to follow through! I'm with you and I, for one, am challenging every member of this forum to do the same!

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As far as I know, I do not think Oxycontin (or any opiate for that matter) has any kind of warning on the label or prescribing information about tooth loss/decay is a possible side effect. If not, we have grounds for a class action lawsuit.
Every single one of us should file. If we don't get compensation from the pharmaceutical company (at LEAST out dental work covered) at least we can make it so they will have to include a warning of the possibility of that side effect. That way, at least it can prevent anymore needless suffering by people who are uninformed and, take this medication without knowing the possible risks.

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I am sorry I haven't been in touch with all of my friends on this site. I go out only for doctors appointments and when I have no choice but have to get food ! I have become a hermit and it's killing me. I have problems with 8 disc and been on OxyContin or now Oxycodone from 1997 and still am and every day is like Groundhog Day and is getting worse because because I always had great looking teeth and now I don't ! My front teeth rotted inside and when I had a checkup and cleaning the dentist scraped them they fell apart ! I had the front bonded but they are horrible to the point I hate mirrors and getting pictures taken with my children that r grown but they understand! If there is anyway I can help our situation I will! Christine I hope all is well and God Bless you all! Mail delivered!

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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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Hey I have had the same problem so I researched and what happens is the medication cause your saliva glands to dehydrate. Saliva produces an acid that fights bacheria that will kill your teeth. Bc of the dehydration from the meds your teeth were deprived of the saliva needed to keep them in good health and that's why the rotted out and broke out. Sad bc I lost my teeth as well. I'm on 35 years old and it sucks

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Hi. I live in Australia and I am very interested in the class action you are talking about. Like everyone on this page , my teeth are deteriorating, so is the bone. It's not bad yet, but give my 12 months and I recon I'm going to start loosing some, most of my teeth are slightly loose already.
I have been taking oxicontin for around 5 years now. My dose is only small as well . 10 mg in the morning and 20mg in the evening. Mind you I also take Lyrica and celebrex.
I would love to hear from someone about what you are up to legally
Cheers
Martine

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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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Thank you Christine ! You have been the one person that I have been able to tell about what I have went threw because i have to take Oxy and what it has done to my teeth and life from the beginning! I say this with all respect to each and everyone that is on this sight ! I am a man that hates to complain to anyone about my health or any problem I may have but had to figure a way to vent ! So when I first joined this sight I picked one person that seemed to be in the same place I was and it happened to be Christine ! From that point on when I would post I would act as though I was telling her and only her then I would be able to talk freely because even tho in my mind I was talking to her in reality I was talking to each and everyone on this sight ! It may sound stupid it is how I was able to handle this ! I say this because some people may be like me and not write what they feel because the number of people on this sight has grown and you may feel uncomfortable like I was and still am ! The way that Oxycodon and Oxcontin has destroyed everyone's teeth and self confidence is so wrong and needs to be fixed ! I always carry a bottle of water with me all day every day and I have found this to help slow down this process and hope it helps all of you too ! I will help with anything we try to do as a group to try to get a smile back on everyone by getting our teeth fixed ! It is the right thing for the maker of this medicine to do ! It would cost them nothing compared to the large amount of money they have made and still make from the cost of Oxy ! They should be looking for the people that took this medicine to fix our teeth just like a car company has a recall when it may injure someone because of a bad part in a car ! I hope everyone has a happy new year and we get our smiles back ! And Christine thank you for being that one person I was able to count on ! You are the best ! Mail delivered !

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Angela- Wanted to know if you have an update on your condition and dental problems? I found your posts and all the replies while doing a search on Oxycontin + destroying teeth. So, I am not the only one!

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Same here it's so depressing. I'm going thru hell getting implants.

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I used high amounts of prescribed oxycontin,and suddenly after some years about 8 teeth (molars) just disintegrated,broke up and I pulled many pieces out..so I think yes. I have no other explanation.

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Hi, Mark, Lily, and Karen.... NO, YOU ARE BY NO MEANS THE ONLY ONES suffering from teeth degeneration due to the use of opiods! And, although it should not make you feel any better, and like I said (especially if you start looking at ALL of the posts!) you DO HAVE a quasi family who most definitely understand what you're going through and how you feel. However, and although we don't have all of the answers, we try to be as much of a support system as we can, when we can.

And, since I'm on the site, I'm going to take the advantage to say HI to one of my favorite cheerleaders, Mr. Mailman! It sure was nice to see your post and it always makes me feel better when I read what you have to say! I had to stop the Fentanyl patches (which was prescribed after I got into the dreaded donut hole again and simply couldn't afford the almost $400 a month for the Oxycontin ER) The patch was the best alternative for constant pain relief but, shortly before the end of the year, I got a letter from my insurance company informing me that they would no longer cover the patch, brand, generic or otherwise. So, there ya go and yet again, my options are diminishing slowly but surely and, as an unfortunate result, the only other option I have now is to take even MORE Oxycodone consistently throughout the day INSTEAD OF ONLY TAKING IT FOR BREAKTHROUGH PAIN! I don't think I need to tell you just how much more that option has affected my teeth, either! I wish my insurance company has to also pay for my dental issues so they could see (read-PAY!) for themselves just how much more serious my dental issues have become JUST BECAUSE of their decision!

Oh, well... can't do anything about what I have no control over. I hope you're doing as well as you can and, again, it was nice to see your recent post! And, Mark, Lily, and Karen, hang in there!

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Hello everyone. Just wanted too say I've been on oxycontin for eight years due too two back surgeries and two knee surgeries due too my back and now my hips are going as well but my teeth were excellent before I took this crap.....as a matter of fact everyone my whole life's turned too absolute crap... My teeth r disgusting my brain feels like I have a mix 'm. master going flat out in m head so I can never concentrate and my organisation is up the creek. Put it this way nobody would ever ever think I used too look after my own office at Qantas catering doing security by myself a nine and a half shift . Lol.....I can't even keep my room in order these days and I'm a grown woman..... Also have no life....no partner....no quality of anything....my life sucks big time too the point I'm really over it actually and I'm in Australia so it's no different here . Just really lonely lol

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Hi yes oxycontin rotted all my teeth it reduces the saliva in mouth so theeth rot but now have false teeth no on going dentist bills lol it's not good happened in 2yrs wow xxx

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Dear Deidra.... I HAD to reply to your post because EACH AND EVERYTHING YOU LISTED AS HAVING IT AFFECT YOUR LIFE, BOTH PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY, I CAN RELATE TO! I realize that it's most likely not going to make you feel any better but I SIMPLY HAD TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU'RE NOT ALONE!!! Warm regards, Christine :)

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Hello Friend! I too have this problem however with that said, mine stems from use while on active duty since 2003. I fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. I was never allowed to out process through dental nor was I afforded the opportunity to attend ACAP. ACAP is (Army Career Alumni Program) I was stuck on gate guard duty during the duration of ACAP. I am still currently taking opiates for severe chronic pain due to an injury in combat. I fell 14 feet after being hit center mass of my Trauma plate upon breaching a door looking for a HVT (High Value Target) I am a highly decorated soldier so I am guessing they figured that I did not need to attend ACAP. At that time I had two maybe three minor cavities that should have been fixed. "GO ARMY"! And no the VA still has been sitting on their collective asses and have not tried to fix my spine/neck. I have done everything that they have asked of me. It seems that I keep being told #1 that I refused surgery, which is a lie and #2 that the VA is not knife happy. They gave me a wonderful rating of 40% overall. I know people with lesser problems receiving much, much more. The system is very unfair and depends on where you live I imagine. It would be wonderful to one day smile instead of the tight lip embarrassment that I now face. I am going to try to use current health problems to get in the dental back door with the VA. Let's hope this works. I am only 45 years old and I am in amazing shape for my age, i just wish my dental was strong as my body. It may even help with my depression and PTSD. To be able to look another human being in the eye and smile a big smile, may keep me from being looked at as hostile. I do wish you luck friend, I'll pray for you and do the same for me!

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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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