odd question about opioids and toothpaste

[houghchrst]

Okay this may sound weird but I keep hearing that opioids are bad for your teeth after prolonged use so I was wondering if using an enamel strengthening/building toothpaste would be beneficial and prevent damage. Does anyone know?

thanks all

[911]

i have had trouble with my teeth since being on opiod therapy , so i can see where this might be of a huge benifit ,,,,,,,,,,,, Dave

[Pharmacist.steve]

The dental problems usually are caused by the dry mouth from opiate use. The Fentanyl "lollipops" seem to cause an additional set of tooth problems.. due to the on going contact of the ingredients directly with the teeth & gums

[Jim59]

Hi Christina:
My wife has been in dentistry for years. When we first married 20+ years ago we both began using Prevident gel. It's a prescription fluoride gel for the prevention of cavities and to strengthen our enamel. That's what we used it for then and now a few years older and hopefully wiser we continue to use it but for a different reason. We both have receding gums so the fluoride on the newly exposed roots keeps them healthier until we can afford or get new crowns or root canals. Two tubes run us about $25 without dental insurance but have saved us thousands of $$ and unknown pain in dental work. I have nocturnal seizures and my teeth haven't broken or chipped since I've used it. You still use good ole toothpaste but add this as a topical fluoride. You'll like the results... Prevident Gel by Colgate but Rx only. Ask your dentist for an Rx.
Jim

[houghchrst]

Wow thanks Jim. I have an excellent dentist so shouldn't have a problem and hopefully my insurance will cover it. I have finally started to get treatment for my pain and have always been battling dental problems so I want to be doubly careful.

Thanks muchly!

[suede]

As Phamasist Steve pointed out also, the problem is with dry mouth and my dentist turned me on to toothpaste and mouthwash for dry mouth, there are also several things OTC that you can get for dry mouth.
Lots of luck with both.
Linda

[Leeaelle]

I agree that the problem is dry mouth. Both my dentist and oral surgeon said the same thing, so they too put me on special stuff for it.

If it's not one thing, it's another! :rolleyes: Lee ;)

[houghchrst]

What can I get for drymouth. I get it terrible even with just the regular meds I take. I practically have to carry a water bottle around my neck lol.

[Mark N]

Christina, I use Biotane [sp] toothpaste which is for dry mouth. Go to your pharmacist and ask what they recommend for dry mouth as that is what I suffer from. The toothpaste has done a good job for me as I was having dental problems before using it.

[houghchrst]

Thanks Mark and Steve and everybody!!!

[mainepain]

After all the negative reports I've been hearing about Fluoride. I wonder if there is a safer alternative that works as well.

[suede]

Thanks Mark I couldn't remember the name, they also have a mouth wash that really helps.
Linda

[markm]

Hi Christina,

As has been mentioned, the problem is that opioids cause dry mouth, and saliva is your body's natural antacid.

One thing you can do that will help a lot is to chew sugar-free gum periodically throughout the day, but especially after eating, as chewing gum produces saliva.

Regards,
Mark M

[NJPain]

I believe the bad teeth thing is mostly due to the fact it is harder for our bodies to absorb nutrients from the food we eat.

I also recommend and really good multi vitamin. I actually have felt my tooth problems disappear after a week of vitamin therapy. Now, I am a believer we need a lot more vitamins than the RDA recommends so I take megadose vitamins from GNC.

[mainepain]

Apparently no one knows any safer alternatives to fluoride

[sara11]

hey i have heard that tooth soaps can relieve you from most of your dental problems ,is it true?is there any site which anybody can suggest ?

[brians2000]

I use prescription toothpaste now to save my teeth. I had very nice teeth until I started taking Avinza and on top of that and grinding my teeth I am now down to the gums almost. Dentist told me to use the prescription paste now if I want to keep my teeth.