Tooth decay and taking opioids
 

Hi All,

I felt the need to post this because this topic can become a problem for any- one who takes opioids.

Tooth Decay and opiates.
 

Sorry I hit post before I was finished.

What I found out was that tooth decay does happen in true addicts i.e. heroine addicts, meth addicts, etc. What happens is the drugs turn the saliva very acidity and that is what causes the tooth decay.

What was recommended to try and control the decay was to stop all surgar, he prescript a fluoride gel and told me to brush after each time I ate.

Also, I also have an auto immune syndrome since I was 7 and feel that is affecting my RSD condition in general. I don't want anyone to panic but I wish someone would of made me more aware of this because now I have to have major work done and RSD and dental work doesn't go well together as it is.

My PM Doctor did mention to me years ago about the spread of the RSD to my neck, face, mouth because my RSD is upper extremity.

I hope this helps.

Ann

Hi Ann,:)

I hope you don't mind the following discussion. It is certainly not meant to challenge your post and I certainly could be opening a can of worms. That is not my intention.

I am aware that this is very evident in terms of the illicit or street drugs and is more related to how they are "cut". Prescription drugs, whilst used as directed don't appear to have these horrible effects and Rx opioids are prepared under such strict standards......I can't find much at all to qualify (from genuine scientific research) that offers real evidence that prescription opioids are the boogy-man most doctors believe them to be.....it is muchly based on hearsay and opinion without much real evidence.

We, with CRPS, have problems, as part of this monster in correctly processing and laying down Calcium to our bodies. One thing to remember, is that patients in genuine pain and not abusing their meds rarely become addicted unless they are over-medicated to a level that ensures euphoria (or for that matter under-medicated).

I was quite concerned regarding this when they started prescribing quite heavy oral doses for my CRPS pain and have done hundreds of hours of research. It appears to be a fear held by some physicians regarding the phantom effects of legitimate opioid use and it makes it VERY hard for those of us needing genuine pain relief from such severe PAIN THAT NEVER GOES AWAY.

That does not mean I am in favour of them. All of my treatment has been aiming at ending up NOT taking oral opioids or other meds...but that is a very long story and not for here.

If I have any degree of success I will not hesitate to share it with ALL.

Hope this finds you as well as you can be.
Cheers
Auberon.

I have been taking opiods for approx 2 years for TOS and RSD. My dentist has found that the opiods make my mouth really dry, and that has caused a great deal of the decay. He says he finds that fairly often with chronic pain patients, and with people who have Sjorgrens. He tells me you need to salivate freely, but the medication can reduce the amount of saliva produced, and as a result it is more difficult for you to "wash" the bacteria off of your teeth.
His suggestion to me was to brush after every meal, and drink LOTS of water.
Hope that helps.
Trix

Ditto!!!
I have had RSD since 1989, I too have been told about the dry month and tooth decay and I have many caps to prove it. Unfortunately, the opioids have also given me liver problems. I am currently off all opioids and treating my RSD with HBOT and my liver with Milk Thisle.
There really is hope for all of us.:winky: