![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jackster on October 5, 2003, at 19:59:27
I went to my dentist for the first time in three years (have been short of money) - and to my surprise I needed 7 fillings! (This was confirmed by a 2nd dentist). I had been on a tricyclic (which are known to give you a dry mouth and exacerbate holes) for a few months during the 3 years - but even my dentist seems to think this wouldn't be enough to cause that much damage. (I used to have perfect teeth - didn't get a filling til I was 22).
I am now on Paxil 60mg and klonopin 1.5mg per day - and I'm wondering if the klonopin could be doing the damage on my teeth. If it could be - an hints on how to avoid further damage? (I brush and floss 3x a day now!)
Thanks
Jackie
Posted by sarita0001 on October 5, 2003, at 20:31:18
In reply to Can Klonopin help cause fillings?, posted by Jackster on October 5, 2003, at 19:59:27
Hi,
I posted the same thing the other day and people told me to use Biotene toothpaste- although I don't know where to buy that. Flourigard is a flouride anticavity rinse you can get anywhere that my dentist suggested.
Sara
Posted by mattdds on October 5, 2003, at 21:03:59
In reply to Can Klonopin help cause fillings?, posted by Jackster on October 5, 2003, at 19:59:27
Hello,
I'm a fourth year dental student. From what I've been taught, dry mouth can greatly contribute to caries (cavities).
Klonopin is not associated with dry mouth. Much to the contrary, it is associated with increased salivary flow.
The etiology of dental decay is *very* well elucidated, and I cannot think of any possible way that Klonopin would have caused or even contributed to this.
On the other hand, it is *extremely* common to get caries while on drugs like imipramine or any other "xerostomic" (mouth-drying) drugs.
Scrutinous oral hygiene *must* be followed while taking tricyclics to prevent dental caries. I would place more emphasis on complete plaque removal (brushing 2x and flossing 1x daily). The products like Biotene are merely adjuncts. Biotene may help, but is no substitute for good oral hygiene.
I would also personally inquire about topical fluoride supplementation (Prevident 5000, for example). A while back, I had a small cavity (during dental school), that I was able to completely remineralize (confirmed with an X-ray taken by my friend) with very thorough brushing and flossing and ACT fluoride rinse. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to remineralize decay without having to drill it out (assuming they are very small, and confined to enamel). This represents the new thinking in dentistry.
Best,
Matt
Posted by galkeepinon on October 5, 2003, at 21:19:21
In reply to Can Klonopin help cause fillings?, posted by Jackster on October 5, 2003, at 19:59:27
Hi Jackie, last time I went to the dentist, I needed 8 fillings! I so hear you. You sound like me, I didn't have my first filling until I was 28. I smoke though too:( and I think that contributes to cavities, because I never got them before I smoked.
BUT, I think that some of these meds, because they do cause dry mouth, can cause the decay. I hear all the time, suck on lozenges, drink water, etc.. but it's frustrating, I know, to get fillings done~the rush from the novacaine at first may be good lol but I'd rather be sitting on the beach in Hawaii! I also take Klonopin and have for about 4 years now, I'm wondering if that could be causing the cavities too.
**In addition to what you're doing, which is better than me, I only brush and floss maybe once or twice a day~depending..., is to just see your dentist, and get the prtofessional cleaning on a regular basis. This is just my opinion.
Hope this helped, I know how you feel.
Kristen
> I went to my dentist for the first time in three years (have been short of money) - and to my surprise I needed 7 fillings! (This was confirmed by a 2nd dentist). I had been on a tricyclic (which are known to give you a dry mouth and exacerbate holes) for a few months during the 3 years - but even my dentist seems to think this wouldn't be enough to cause that much damage. (I used to have perfect teeth - didn't get a filling til I was 22).
>
> I am now on Paxil 60mg and klonopin 1.5mg per day - and I'm wondering if the klonopin could be doing the damage on my teeth. If it could be - an hints on how to avoid further damage? (I brush and floss 3x a day now!)
>
> Thanks
> Jackie
Posted by galkeepinon on October 5, 2003, at 21:26:26
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin help cause fillings? » Jackster, posted by mattdds on October 5, 2003, at 21:03:59
Hi, I go to the dentist Tuesday, due to a piece of a filling he did a few months ago chipping. I have that sensitive feeling. I didn't know that Klonopin is associated with increased salivary flow. I take it, and maybe thought my cavities were due to it, but I'm also on Lexapro too.
May I ask what this Prevident is? Is it safe to use with pyschiatric meds, meaning no reaction, etc.?
I would like to remineralize the decay, (if that's what it turns out to be, but he just filled 8 cavities a few months ago...and I never had a cavity up until a few years ago), without having to drill it out.
Hooray for the new thinking in dentistry!
Do you think this would be a good thing to try while on the meds I mentioned?
Thanks,
Kristen
> I would also personally inquire about topical fluoride supplementation (Prevident 5000, for example). A while back, I had a small cavity (during dental school), that I was able to completely remineralize (confirmed with an X-ray taken by my friend) with very thorough brushing and flossing and ACT fluoride rinse. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to remineralize decay without having to drill it out (assuming they are very small, and confined to enamel). This represents the new thinking in dentistry.
>
> Best,
>
> Matt
Posted by Jackster on October 6, 2003, at 4:25:05
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin help cause fillings? » Jackster, posted by mattdds on October 5, 2003, at 21:03:59
> Hello,
>
> I'm a fourth year dental student. From what I've been taught, dry mouth can greatly contribute to caries (cavities).
>
> Klonopin is not associated with dry mouth. Much to the contrary, it is associated with increased salivary flow.
>
> The etiology of dental decay is *very* well elucidated, and I cannot think of any possible way that Klonopin would have caused or even contributed to this.
>
> On the other hand, it is *extremely* common to get caries while on drugs like imipramine or any other "xerostomic" (mouth-drying) drugs.
>
> Scrutinous oral hygiene *must* be followed while taking tricyclics to prevent dental caries. I would place more emphasis on complete plaque removal (brushing 2x and flossing 1x daily). The products like Biotene are merely adjuncts. Biotene may help, but is no substitute for good oral hygiene.
>
> I would also personally inquire about topical fluoride supplementation (Prevident 5000, for example). A while back, I had a small cavity (during dental school), that I was able to completely remineralize (confirmed with an X-ray taken by my friend) with very thorough brushing and flossing and ACT fluoride rinse. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to remineralize decay without having to drill it out (assuming they are very small, and confined to enamel). This represents the new thinking in dentistry.
>
> Best,
>
> MattHi Matt
Thanks for your information. I did a search on side effects of klonopin and I came up with this:
Gastrointestinal: Anorexia, coated tongue, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, encopresis, gastritis, increased appetite, nausea, sore gums.
So it might be possible that it is causing the fillings?
Anyway - I'd just like to check with you a couple of products my dentist sold me to help - one is a high fluoride toothpaste - which has 1.1% neutral sodium fluoride;
and the other is a 'tooth mousse' to put on after cleaning and flossing for weak teeth. It has bio-available calcium and phosphate in it - and is a derivative of milk casein.
Do these sound like they may help my situation? And any advice for a dry mouth? Does chewing sugar free gum help?
Sorry for all the questions - an advice gratefully received. (Will be seeing my dentist next week for the last 4 fillings).
Thanks
Jackie
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on October 6, 2003, at 6:36:38
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin help cause fillings? » mattdds, posted by Jackster on October 6, 2003, at 4:25:05
If you even feel occasional dry mouth, try sucking on (sugarless!) hard candy, chewing ice chips, or get some artificial saliva. And as mattdds has said, clonazepam has a tendency toward causing excess salivation -- I have yet to hear of it causing dry mouth in anyone (though anything's possible).
Posted by John1022 on October 6, 2003, at 8:59:50
In reply to Can Klonopin help cause fillings?, posted by Jackster on October 5, 2003, at 19:59:27
From what I have read most of the AD's cause dry mouth (Effexor and Elavil I know). I would more likely think it is those medications causing dry mouth leading to cavities
Posted by Larry Hoover on October 8, 2003, at 9:43:26
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin help cause fillings? » mattdds, posted by Jackster on October 6, 2003, at 4:25:05
> Thanks for your information. I did a search on side effects of klonopin and I came up with this:
>
> Gastrointestinal: Anorexia, coated tongue, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, encopresis, gastritis, increased appetite, nausea, sore gums.
>
> So it might be possible that it is causing the fillings?I'd be wondering if you sleep with an open mouth, drying out your oral cavity. Do you awake with a dry mouth, or really bad breath? (also an indicator of mouth-breathing)
> Anyway - I'd just like to check with you a couple of products my dentist sold me to help - one is a high fluoride toothpaste - which has 1.1% neutral sodium fluoride;
>
> and the other is a 'tooth mousse' to put on after cleaning and flossing for weak teeth. It has bio-available calcium and phosphate in it - and is a derivative of milk casein.
>
> Do these sound like they may help my situation?Your teeth are constantly dissolving, and having new minerals deposited on their surfaces. Saliva generally provides the bulk of the "raw materials" for tooth repair. The products being recommended to you substantially augment the resources provided by your saliva, but they do so in different ways. The calcium/phosphate is more like the effect of saliva, whereas the fluoride mimics the effect of naturally or artificially fluoridated water, but with higher short-term availability of fluoride. If you use the fluoride product, take pains to not swallow any.
When your teeth are being examined by the dentist, he pokes them with a sharp probe. If you have soft spots (the precursors to actual cavities), the pick will stick into the surface a bit, and you can feel that. It's those soft spots that the two products the dentist recommended to you will address; each will help to remineralize the soft spots, and the teeth will harden up again if you can keep the bacteria under control while the healing takes place.
> And any advice for a dry mouth? Does chewing sugar free gum help?
Yes. And, if night-time mouth-breathing is an issue, one possible remedy is to sew a tennis ball into the back of your pyjamas. You'll be unable to sleep on your back (most likely mouth-breathing position). If you mouth-breath anyway, I'd suggest you investigate household allergens/using an antihistamine to keep your nasal passages fully open.
> Sorry for all the questions - an advice gratefully received. (Will be seeing my dentist next week for the last 4 fillings).
>
> Thanks
> JackieI'm not Matt, and I'm not a dentist, but I hope I've contributed.
Lar
Posted by Jackster on October 9, 2003, at 1:28:55
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin help cause fillings? » Jackster, posted by Larry Hoover on October 8, 2003, at 9:43:26
Since taking the Klonopin my sinuses seem more blocked than usual which would explain the mouth breathing at night. Am now taking Beconase to rememdy that.
Your info has been v helpful!
Jackie
Posted by Larry Hoover on October 9, 2003, at 6:50:37
In reply to Thanks Larry! » Larry Hoover, posted by Jackster on October 9, 2003, at 1:28:55
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.