[BeyondtheRainbow]

I went to the dentist today. I go 3x/year, paying out of pocket once, just to help keep up with my constant cavities and need for crowns. I weent to the dentist today and need another crown. This is probably 10-15 crowns. And I still have 2 fillings to do the same day. This new crown will mean every tooth on that quadrant of my mouth will be crowned.
It's from meds. I don't drink anything sugary, she said my hygiene is excellent and I know my mouth is dry all the time even though I drink water all the time.

I have a prescription toothpaste that I have trouble using because it makes me gaggy to keep it in without rinsing. But I'm going to manage from now on. No choice. I also have a waterpik on the way. I used to use one but it was too big to fit on my small sink easily. This one doesn't have the big tank.

Anyway, enough rambling.....am I the only one with serious dental issues from psych meds? It's way worse since starting clozapine 7 years ago but stopping that's not an option.

Thanks!

[Soupe du jour]

In the past, I've read others comment on dry mouth and teeth problems. What a pity your extreme hygiene efforts have not been enough! The 10 to 15 crowns must have been very expensive, unless you have outstanding dental insurance. Do you think, though, that there could be something else involved besides the med-induced issues? Also, have you sought a second opinion on your situation? My husband had seen two different dentists, at different times, after other dentists said he needed fillings, only to be told additional fillings were unnecessary. Dentists make more money the more work they do on you.

I've only had the dry mouth side effect a few times from meds. In the case of my current Seroquel, it eventually faded away. My teeth have been affected, notably, but I've blamed it on my mental illness itself (anxiety, mixed states). Daytime bruxism! I have not needed any crowns in my life, and my cavities (fillings) were mostly all from my childhood. I'm 52 now, and have taken bipolar meds for about 20 years. I did need two root canals about four years ago, but the endodontist blamed the bruxism. Sadly, my upper and lower front teeth, incisors, and canine teeth are all worn down A LOT! The endodontist said as much as many 70 year olds'. It's amazing the strength of the jaw! Even bruxism has been intermittent. Perhaps medications have been involved a little, but again, I think anxiety and mixed states are main culprits. I had bruxism even before bipolar meds. When I look at pictures of myself from my 20s, my front teeth were longer and had mamelons. They've since been well worn off.

[Tart Cherry Jam]

@BeyondtheRainbow, I can definitely relate. I wear our dental work faster than expected. I have many crowns and have had many fillings throughout my life. I have two implants at age 52. In the past when I was severely depressed, my dental hygiene was terrible as I could not even floss. Now it is excellent and my doctor says that my gums are good enough to be placed for display in an exhibition. I floss first thing in the morning, then scrape my tongue, then brush (no rinsing and yes, I use a prescription strength toothpaste) and nothing in the mouth for 30 minutes thereafter. Then I eat breakfast and then I do my waterpik. It would be ideal to add brushing at night but I eat and take meds too close to my bedtime now to do that; maybe in the future it will be possible as an improvement. But either way, the gums are strong with the current regimen.

Some years ago my dentist thought that my issues were a late aftereffect of taking Lithium for some years even though I long stopped. Then her son who is also a dentist and is trained in special techniques did an analysis of my jaw using 3D imagery and determined that there are issues with the positioning of my teeth that cause me to wear out dental work fast. The treatment for these issues is expensive and is not covered by insurance and currently I cannot afford it out of pocket. Also, to undertake his recommended course of treatment I would also need to go to an out-of-network physical therapist which is something that would consume time and money that I do not have. So at present this hypothesis is not leading to an actionable insight, but it offers a competing hypothesis to the one from earlier, i.e. that I wear out dental work fast as a medication side effect. Maybe something similar is happening to you? Again, there is nothing you can do about it, but it is a way to sidestep blaming meds, which we too often do.

PS I grew up in an unfluoridated area and without access to fluoride toothpaste which must have contributed to the number of cavities I had as a child.

[MuddyBoots]

My dentist said to use biotene

[Mountaindewed]

I was seeing this dental clinic that you could only see if you were on SSI or made under a certain amount of money each year or didn't have insurance even through medicaid. Each time I would go she would find 7 cavities. Every time. I was brushing my teeth and taking care of them.

Now since I have moved I go to my sisters dentist who is expensive but he says my teeth are fine.

Dentists get paid more if you are on medicare and medicaid. They find stuff that isn't really there.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Originally Posted by Soupe du jour

In the past, I've read others comment on dry mouth and teeth problems. What a pity your extreme hygiene efforts have not been enough! The 10 to 15 crowns must have been very expensive, unless you have outstanding dental insurance. Do you think, though, that there could be something else involved besides the med-induced issues? Also, have you sought a second opinion on your situation? My husband had seen two different dentists, at different times, after other dentists said he needed fillings, only to be told additional fillings were unnecessary. Dentists make more money the more work they do on you.
f.

I need to ask about bruxism. I had a bite guard before but it no longer fits. My old dentist thought I had pretty severe nighttime bruxism. This one has never really discussed it. I have so many crowns I imagine it's less of an issue; it's hard to grind through porcelain.


I don't think I need a 2nd opinion; this dental practice is pretty honest and good to the point my sister drives my nieces 2 hours to see them. My mom's gone there for 20 some years and hasn't had anything like my experience even with the same dentist. But that's a good point with anything medical.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Originally Posted by Tart Cherry Jam

@BeyondtheRainbow, I can definitely relate. I wear our dental work faster than expected. I have many crowns and have had many fillings throughout my life. I have two implants at age 52. In the past when I was severely depressed, my dental hygiene was terrible as I could not even floss. Now it is excellent and my doctor says that my gums are good enough to be placed for display in an exhibition. I floss first thing in the morning, then scrape my tongue, then brush (no rinsing and yes, I use a prescription strength toothpaste) and nothing in the mouth for 30 minutes thereafter. Then I eat breakfast and then I do my waterpik. It would be ideal to add brushing at night but I eat and take meds too close to my bedtime now to do that; maybe in the future it will be possible as an improvement. But either way, the gums are strong with the current regimen.

Some years ago my dentist thought that my issues were a late aftereffect of taking Lithium for some years even though I long stopped. Then her son who is also a dentist and is trained in special techniques did an analysis of my jaw using 3D imagery and determined that there are issues with the positioning of my teeth that cause me to wear out dental work fast. The treatment for these issues is expensive and is not covered by insurance and currently I cannot afford it out of pocket. Also, to undertake his recommended course of treatment I would also need to go to an out-of-network physical therapist which is something that would consume time and money that I do not have. So at present this hypothesis is not leading to an actionable insight, but it offers a competing hypothesis to the one from earlier, i.e. that I wear out dental work fast as a medication side effect. Maybe something similar is happening to you? Again, there is nothing you can do about it, but it is a way to sidestep blaming meds, which we too often do.

PS I grew up in an unfluoridated area and without access to fluoride toothpaste which must have contributed to the number of cavities I had as a child.

It sounds like you have a routine that really works for you. I just need to get in the habit of using the prescription stuff at night and the waterpik in the morning after I brush.


You did remind me that they said this current crown is needed because of poor alignment with the tooth so that the fillings just won't work. I forgot that but I guess at least this time I have a specific reason that i kept getting cavities in the same spot. They've even replaced the filling without charge once or twice but it still went bad. So I feel like everything that could be done has been done. I have a small mouth and even after orthodontia as a kid things are crowded in there.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Originally Posted by MuddyBoots

My dentist said to use biotene

It's a good idea but I hate biotene. I think it tastes like warm spit. I do have a prescription mouthwash to use when my waterpik arrives.

[Tart Cherry Jam]

Don't do Waterpik immediately after brushing. Wait for 30 minutes. The extra fluoride in prescription toothpaste needs those 30 minutes to work. Rinsing it off would undo the benefit.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Originally Posted by Mountaindewed

I was seeing this dental clinic that you could only see if you were on SSI or made under a certain amount of money each year or didn't have insurance even through medicaid. Each time I would go she would find 7 cavities. Every time. I was brushing my teeth and taking care of them.

Now since I have moved I go to my sisters dentist who is expensive but he says my teeth are fine.

Dentists get paid more if you are on medicare and medicaid. They find stuff that isn't really there.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience. I have private dental insurance (which you can buy on the internet) and have never felt mistreated. My mom and I compare notes on the same dentist and we are treated equally. I can actually see at least one cavity so that adds to my trust. I'm glad you've found a good dentist. If you don't have insurance try searching "individual dental insurance" and things will pop up. It pays off for me.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Originally Posted by Tart Cherry Jam

Don't do Waterpik immediately after brushing. Wait for 30 minutes. The extra fluoride in prescription toothpaste needs those 30 minutes to work. Rinsing it off would undo the benefit.

I know. I'm doing waterpik with prescription mouthwash in the morning (as they told me to do so I guess it's ok to dilute it) and prescription toothpaste at night.

Thanks!

[Tart Cherry Jam]

Ah! I see. I hope this helps but I also MUST tell you about the little gem of a secret: xylitol mints. They help prevent caries (it has been proven) and they encourage the production of saliva. I like two flavors: mint and lemon, see the links below, but if they are not your favorites, then the company called Epic Dental which specializes in Xylitol products sells all kinds of flavors including cinnamon. Epic Dental also sells Xylitol gum with a high concentration of Xylitol. I have been using Xylitol products for over 10 years.

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Originally Posted by Tart Cherry Jam

Ah! I see. I hope this helps but I also MUST tell you about the little gem of a secret: xylitol mints. They help prevent caries (it has been proven) and they encourage the production of saliva. I like two flavors: mint and lemon, see the links below, but if they are not your favorites, then the company called Epic Dental which specializes in Xylitol products sells all kinds of flavors including cinnamon. Epic Dental also sells Xylitol gum with a high concentration of Xylitol. I have been using Xylitol products for over 10 years.

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

I have some in my Amazon inbox, waiting for a gift card to clear so I can order! Thank you

[Victoria'smom]

My teeth are unsavable and I'm not even 40 yet. They want to do dentures but I want at least teeth that are attached somehow and I can't temporarily do dentures and then get posts. So as long as I can eat on one side of my mouth I'll continue like this. We're trying to change our social economic situation so I can get implants. I blame lack of dental care to low income and meds. Teeth need to be seen as important to function.

[neverending]

When I was on geodon my mouth was very dry. Biotene did not help at all. I was having a lot of dental problems. After getting off the geodon it still took a year to finish clearing up the dental problems. I m on Seroquel now n not having those problems.

I was dealing with root canals, crowns, and a multitude of cavities along with periodontal cleanings and problems at that time.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

My teeth are unsavable and I'm not even 40 yet. They want to do dentures but I want at least teeth that are attached somehow and I can't temporarily do dentures and then get posts. So as long as I can eat on one side of my mouth I'll continue like this. We're trying to change our social economic situation so I can get implants. I blame lack of dental care to low income and meds. Teeth need to be seen as important to function.

MM, I am so sorry. I don't really know what else to say because I would be so upset in your shoes.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Originally Posted by neverending

When I was on geodon my mouth was very dry. Biotene did not help at all. I was having a lot of dental problems. After getting off the geodon it still took a year to finish clearing up the dental problems. I m on Seroquel now n not having those problems.

I was dealing with root canals, crowns, and a multitude of cavities along with periodontal cleanings and problems at that time.

I'm glad things improved for you. I've had I think 10 crowns (tried to count the other night but it's hard to know which teeth are crowned by feel) and several root canals. I haven't had periodontal issues thankfully but otherwise it sounds like we've had pretty similar experiences.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

@Tart Cherry Jam I forgot to tell you that I grew up with unfluoidated water too. I did get "squish" at school to help some and flouride at the dentist every 6 months but out water at home was well water and I hated the water in town which I think did have fluoride. So I had as much as my parents could do but I'm sure that this is part of my problems. Getting us dental care was very important to my mom who has had a lifetime of dental work after not having dental care as a child. My old dentist also said this is partly hereditary although that was before things started getting a lot worse when I switched to clozapine.

[raspberrytorte]

This is random, but I'm happy clozaril worked for you, BeyondtheRainbow. Clozaril really helped my mood and psychosis a lot, but unfortunately my body did not like it. It made me retain water, to the point where I looked pregnant and had edema in my ankles. So I had to go off it. Luckily the loxapine my pdoc switched me to works well and doesn't give me similar problems. My pdoc said it was the closest to clozaril we could get.

I should mention, it works as long as I take it properly!

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I'm glad clozaril works for me too. I tried loxapine before I went on it but it caused muscle spasms and I was paranoid on it so I wasn't on it very long. It's too bad it had the side effects because I liked it; if I'd reached a therapeutic dose without problems it might have been quite good for me. But most of my time on it was miserable unfortunately. I've been on clozaril for 7.5 years now and hopefully it will work indefinitely.

[raspberrytorte]

Yeah. I really liked the clozaril. I was sad it didn't work out for me. I'm happy it worked out for you though!

It also made me drool A LOT. I mean, I had a drool towel for at night. Lol. And it made me gain a lot of weight. I shot up from 130lbs to 185lbs in just three months! It was scary. And I STILL haven't lost all the weight and it's been over a year now. Sigh. Clozaril RUINED me!!

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Originally Posted by raspberrytorte

Yeah. I really liked the clozaril. I was sad it didn't work out for me. I'm happy it worked out for you though!

It also made me drool A LOT. I mean, I had a drool towel for at night. Lol. And it made me gain a lot of weight. I shot up from 130lbs to 185lbs in just three months! It was scary. And I STILL haven't lost all the weight and it's been over a year now. Sigh. Clozaril RUINED me!!

I have drooling too. Less now than in the beginning but definitely still there. But i had a patient years ago who I think was on a very high dose and she drooled all the time. She was always soaked. I felt so bad for her.

Weight gain, yeah. I gained a good bit initially, then started metformin and stayed stable until my father and then my non-bio-father died and I gained another 30 lbs. I'm working on losing that now. It's definitely hard on this stuff.

But it works and I was desperate for something t work so I'm just glad for that and I'll deal with the rest. I hope I never have to go off it unless someone comes out with an updated version with fewer side effects. Which I doubt since there's no real money in that.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

@raspberrytorte did you have bedwetting? That's far and away the least charming side effect although easily coped with using pads.Just something hard to explain to someone who hasn't been there.

[raspberrytorte]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

@raspberrytorte did you have bedwetting? That's far and away the least charming side effect although easily coped with using pads.Just something hard to explain to someone who hasn't been there.

Thankfully no. Just a whole lot of drooling!

However, I had a bedwetting problem when I was on a high dose of Haldol. Most embarrassing!