Has anyone else had an increase in cavities, and tooth loss after long term use of steroids?
Question posted by Romago711 on 3 Jan 2013
Last updated on 30 May 2019 by Lawrence215
I had Conn's Disease in 1988. The benign tumor on one gland and my other non-functioning gland, were surgically removed. Post-Op, I was weaned from steroids and was able to go without for many years, except in times of illness. Over time I needed to be put back on them, and the dose was increased until I was taking 30mg a day for about 10 yrs. I recently changed Endocrinologists and my dose of hydrocortisone was reduced to 25mg.
Over the past 2 years I have developed a lot of problems with my teeth... decay under 2 crowns to where the remaining molar had to be extracted. I have lost a 3rd crown, and have been told by 2 dentists that I need root canals, crowns and more extractions, as well as several bridges and thousands of dollars to cover the cost. My second question relates to just waiting to get dentures if it is inevetible that I am going to lose most or all of my teeth. I was told by 2 Endocrinologists that steroid use does effect my teeth, causes bones to 'thin', and can cause Diabetes. I want to know if anyone else has encountered similar dental problems, what you have done, and how you have been treated for them.
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11 Answers
LA
Lawrence215
30 May 2019
Yes!!! I know this was posted years ago. Your story sounds jusr like mine. I have been on steroids (pred) on and off for rheumatoid. So when i have flares it helps bring bk down. however it's like starting all Over everytime you start taking bc you have to wean down to get off. Over past maybe 2 -3 years my oral health has declined drastically. I need crowns ,rtc, extractions etc . The amount of work I need exceeds my dental allowance. In other words for that amount of work I dont have enough insurance to cover. I'm down to the dentist telling me I will eventually need full dentures. My brain just hasn't processed the thought of that. They say it's not even worth me getting crowns rtc' s etc. Bc in a few years they tend to chip and break normal wear and tear. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place with this. I was told it's the prednisone that has eaten at my teeth .
I'm starting to research and see if others experienced the same and I found you. I hope you can see this msg and you can give an update. It's an absolute fact it's the prednisone. All my life iv had perfectly healthy teeth and now I'm facing full dentures... I'm just devastated behind this !
Votes: +0
MI
MilliWard
15 April 2019
My experience may be a little different. I had a steroid injection after I was injured barefoot using an exercise band. Following the injection I took oral steroids for a period, which made my left molar grow out like a fang and caused decay of teeth on the right rear. I recently asked a medical professional about this (after looking online for similar incidents) and he shrugged it off.
Votes: +0
PA
pamponia
24 Jan 2019
I took 65 mg a day of prednisone for 2 years, as I have pyoderma gangrenosum. My teeth have fallen out and gums have receded. I have horrible osteoporosis related to these steroids, and have had 9 compression fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine. My right hip also fractured, and my jaw at times feels as if it will lock.
So, in answer to your question, yes steroids can have a negative effect on teeth.
Votes: +0
JE
jeannesbooks
17 Sep 2018
I also was on Prednisone, first for a blood disorder and then as a possible solution for a lung disorder, which turned out not to be of any value. I have been to the dentist now and face the probability of having to have all my teeth extracted and getting dentures. I may possibly be able to save them, but at very extreme cost. I actually cannot afford either. I was aware that Prednisone could cause bone loss in my jaw, but not cavities in my roots and other dental problems. I would be perfectly happy to join in a class action lawsuit for this, but at this point it seems fruitless. If anyone has information other wise, I would love to hear it. The prednisone did not help me, it harmed me.
Votes: +0
HI
Hishoney
5 Nov 2017
I also am noticing that my teeth are breaking right off and beginning to rot at the gum line. I have RA, and have been on steroid injections for over 11 years. I guess I'm lucky because this has begun happening just in the last year or so, but it is getting worse. I'm wondering if the meds aren't different now because my teeth were fine for over 10 years, and this decay and breaking off (I was eating a slice of soft bread the last time I had a front tooth break off) and crumbling has just been recently. Trouble sleeping and acne have been two other things I've noticed. I haven't been afflicted with most of the other issues. Or they've been so slight that I haven't noticed them.
Votes: +0
CP
cpsych7
3 June 2018
I have MS and recently had a relapse. My neurologist advised that I have Iprednisone infusions of 1,000mg for 3 days. I did!! Now, all the past dental work I have had done, and it amounted to thousands of dollars, has been destroyed. My teeth are decaying beneath the crown and bridge work and are breaking off at the gums! It is devastating as I have always prided myself on my "smile" and as such spent a small fortune on my teeth. I am now faced with removal of all my teeth and having dental implants. I feel that the prednisone infusions directly led to this situation. My complaint is--the drug label did not specify that this might be a side effect. No real warning from anyone who should have known that this could happen. Dr. Vickey
JO
Jojoisintown
30 Sep 2017
Yes, I am experiencing a noticeable increase in tooth decay/problems after 3 back to back treatments of prednisone. I have a dental appointment this morning to have a crown added to a tooth. I have noticed other teeth aching or being over sensitive. In addition, I had a tooth to chip last month unexpectedly and I see some decay on the tooth next to it. Very disconcerting and disappointing. Thanks for your comments.
Votes: +0
CA
CarrieGchronnie
4 Jan 2017
Hi. My name is Carrie. Im 37 and was diagnosed with chrons disease at 25. So I have had my fair share of steroids. In particular I was on steroids for 2 years straight,with doses as high as 100mg per day. I have had my back teeth with filling crumble out of my mouth. I recently had ro get 4 cavities filled on my front top teeth! I had a root canal,and i have more cavities to fill. Im certain it is because my bones and teeth are weak from prolonged steroid use.
Votes: +1
FQ
Fqmont0621
5 Dec 2016
Hi, I just saw your question. I was on high dosage prednisone when I was diagnosed with RA. It was prescribed for 9 months. Within a year my teeth started crumbling. I ended up needing to get full dental implants.
Votes: +1
KI
kingram122
30 March 2017
I have had exactly the same experience. however, my insurance does not cover dental and I cannot afford all the necessary dental work. I am wondering if my insurace could be made to pay for the dental work as it was caused by a medical situation and not my doing?
FQ
Fqmont0621
30 March 2017
I work in the health insurance industry. Sadly, they will not pay. Also, the "get teeth in one day" as per commercials was not reality. Due to actual bone loss I had to have grafts done so that the implants could be anchored. I had to have dentures while the bone was built up. It was a pain but better than walking around with crumbled teeth. I had to make the decision to spend thousands after my front teeth started to be affected. They broke at the gum line. I've heard that some of the dental schools have reduced prices. In SoCal there is UCLA, USC and Loma Linda
CA
cancanary
5 Oct 2016
Yes I was on steroids as I was growing up for kidney failure. I was on them for about 10 years and my teeth especially the back teeth would just crumble away. I wasn't eating when they would crumble. I would rub my tongue over my teeth and they would fall apart. I never drank fizzy drinks only tea, coffee and water. I stopped eating sweets at age 14 and never ate between meals and after each meal I would clean my teeth. I have lost some of my teeth. I have lots of root canal treatment and lots of problems with my teeth. I am no longer on steroids but now the majority of problems with my teeth are caused by the old filings or decay under old fillings. I've never had any new fillings since around the age of 23 but lots of issues with old fillings all of which were done between the age of 7-21. The damage to my teeth was done during the period of time I was on steroids. I also have osteoporosis due to steroid treatment. I find the condition of my teeth very depressing as I have looked after my teeth better than many people.
Votes: +1
SH
shaymason
13 May 2017
I'm 29(almost 30) and had a kidney disease that almost made me have a transplant or dialysis(don't know which exactly),I had to take Prednisone for that. It was all thanks to dear old mom that drank and did drugs while pregnant with me(despite being 23 at the time and definitely old enough to know better!!! ),and did goodness only knows what else!!! I've had goodness only knows how many teeth that broke(once while I was eating a hard pretzel rod, on the first bite!!! )due to weak teeth from being on steroids as a kid. I also had metal in my mouth to cover bad teeth. Overall,I probably have more fake teeth in my mouth than real ones!!! It doesn't make it any easier to know I will probably have osteoporosis in the coming future due to my past health problems and a family history of the disease on both sides of the family tree.
At this point I would rather have them all pulled than have to look another dentist in the face for the rest of my life!!! I just hope and pray our little girl does not inherit mine and my husband's bad teeth!!! Unfortunately, his dad also had bad teeth it could be genetic for our case. Hope that helps to answer your question and can give you a little comfort knowing that someone can empathize with you who has been through a very similar situation as you experienced in your life, too!!! P.S. Hope I didn't type a book for you to read (Just joking!!! ).
CA
CandyBum
22 Nov 2013
Hi
I have been on high doses of both oral and injectable cortisone, and have noted a considerable change in my teeth, all my molars have developed cavaties, and I have had to have a crown done on my one tooth and fear it may turn into a root canal.
It is going to cost me a small fortune to fix all my teeth, Ive even found the colour of my teeth has changed as well, and I am not a smoker or a heavy tea or wine drinker.
Votes: +0
MA
Marvell
3 Jan 2013
Steroid use can inhibit calcium absorption and increase calcium excretion ... this can lead to damage to teeth and bone loss.
Please see link below for side effects of prednisone (side effect of steroids generally same), and yes endocrinologist is right about other side effects too.
Thanks Marvell... you got right to the heart of my question, and thanks for the link. Now I am wondering if anyone has had my experience and what path they took or plan of treatment they followed regarding their steroid use and dental care.
Romago711
WI
Wizard1990
26 Aug 2013
Yes, prednisone has caused numerous older fillings to crumble. They are coming out in big chunks. Some have broken right at the gum line. So far they need to pull 7 teeth all in the back & then will need a partial plate. I am having a consultation later today with a Dental Surgery team. The Prednisone has also caused some eye pressure problems as well as weight gain.. The side effects can be wicked. Wish they could find some other drug that works as well.
BR
Brenadi
30 July 2017
U no I have been in great shape!! Until the last 2 years I have been in and out of the hospital. Weeks at a time. Started having migraines to come to find out I had a false tumor behind my left eye it would only show up on CT scans and my neck had bulging disc my back has bulging disc from whenever I was younger I am only 36 years but I have never had issues until these last two years I went to the dentist with a broken tooth to come to find out my bones were narrowing now all my teeth are trying to fall out to find out we are running tests now and I got on the internet and started reading everybody else's notes and letters so it is true that you can have too many steroids as I read so do you go through the pain or do you not have any teeth that's the question because now I'm stuck with him to spend thousands of dollars on my teeth the insurance does not cover.
