Suboxone use may lead to noticeable changes in oral health, especially affecting the teeth. The drug Suboxone, which treats opioid addiction, is life-saving but has adverse effects that include erosion of teeth enamel. Increasing reports of severe tooth decay in Suboxone users highlight a serious, often overlooked issue. However, a lawsuit against Suboxone film producers for not warning about dental risks has intensified scrutiny.
The lawsuit emphasized how Suboxone affects oral health, specifically how it contributes to tooth decay and enamel erosion. It highlighted how important it is to communicate openly about the negative effects of Suboxone. This blog post will discuss how the drug erodes tooth enamel, ultimately leading to tooth decay.
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Why Did Suboxone Become Popular?
Suboxone, a mix of naloxone and buprenorphine, is a very successful medication for treating opioid addiction. Since buprenorphine binds to the same brain receptors as opioids, it significantly lessens cravings. It also eases the symptoms of withdrawal, making the switch from opioid use easier to handle.
Conversely, naloxone serves as a preventative measure against abuse. Naloxone causes instant withdrawal symptoms when Suboxone is injected, deterring abuse.
Suboxone became efficacious in the treatment of addiction because of its dual-action mechanism. Like all medications, though, it has drawbacks of its own. One of these is the possibility of dental erosion and the ensuing related problems, as reported by TruLaw. These constitute the prominent side effects that must be considered and treated.
The Suboxone lawsuit began in late 2023, following studies linking the medication to serious tooth decay. Other dental issues like severe oral infections were also highlighted.
Suboxone Films and Enamel Erosion
Suboxone itself plays a significant role in enamel erosion when administered as a sublingual strip or film. As a convenient and efficient method of administering the medication, these strips are made to dissolve under the tongue. However, there is an additional level of risk to your dental health with this mode of administration.
Suboxone films can contribute to enamel erosion through several mechanisms:
Dry Mouth or Xerostomia
Dry mouth, also referred to as xerostomia, is a side effect of Suboxone. Saliva plays a vital role in eliminating bacteria and food particles from the mouth as well as neutralizing acids. Insufficient saliva can allow acids from food and bacteria to remain on teeth, eroding the enamel. Additionally, less natural remineralization of the teeth occurs when saliva is absent, raising the possibility of erosion even more.
The Acidic pH of the Medication
The pH in the mouth can be lowered by Suboxone strips, which dissolve inside the cheek or beneath the tongue. Enamel becomes more prone to erosion due to the accelerated demineralization caused by the acidic environment. Long-term exposure to this acidic state exacerbates the issue, particularly when dosed regularly. This prolonged exposure to acid can cause serious dental decay and increased sensitivity in the teeth.
Sweeteners in Suboxone Strips
Sweeteners are used in Suboxone’s formula to improve its taste. However, this is a drug that needs to dissolve in the mouth for up to half an hour. As oral bacteria break down the sweeteners, acid is produced. Enamel erosion is more likely due to the prolonged presence of sweeteners in the mouth during the period of medication dissolution.
Is Tooth Decay (Dental Erosion) Common with Suboxone?
While concerns about tooth decay and enamel erosion due to Suboxone are valid, these issues do not affect everyone. In fact, a vast majority of the 2.4million Americans who use buprenorphine-based products experience no oral health issues. This suggests that, while dental complications are a side effect, they are not inevitable.
Nonetheless, the risk remains, particularly for those who may not maintain optimal oral hygiene. Missing dental check-ups or engaging in habits like smoking, excessive drinking, or consuming sugary drinks also heightens the risk. These factors can exacerbate the risk of dental problems. It makes proactive dental care and lifestyle choices critical for individuals using Suboxone for opioid addiction treatment.
Indivior’s Selfish Plan and the Consequence of Tooth Decay
Indivior introduced Suboxone sublingual strips to counter generic competition following the expiration of their FDA Orphan Drug status. Although the goal of this action was to keep market dominance, it increased the rate of tooth decay among users.
The strips allow rapid drug absorption but extended use can lead to dental issues like tooth decay, infections, and loss. Despite these risks, Indivior did not initially alert users. Labels were updated only after the FDA’s 2022 warning, which sparked lawsuits alleging carelessness in alerting consumers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What oral health issues are linked to using Suboxone?
The use of Suboxone has been connected to infections, tooth loss, decay, and erosion of the enamel. The main cause of these problems is the extended use of the medication.
How can I avoid risking my dental health while using Suboxone?
Practice good oral hygiene and rinse your mouth after using Suboxone to reduce the risk to your teeth. Routine dental examinations can prove to be crucial.
Was the use of Suboxone strips warned against by Indivior?
No, Indivior did not alert users to the potential risks to their teeth at first. Labels were only updated with warnings following FDA intervention in 2022.
Is Suboxone the only medication available to treat opioid addiction?
No, other drugs like naltrexone and methadone are also used to treat opioid addiction. To determine which course of action is best for you, speak with your healthcare provider.
Even though Suboxone is an effective opioid addiction treatment, it carries risks such as the potential for enamel erosion. Knowing the link between Suboxone and dental health gives you the ability to take preventative measures to save your teeth.
