a friend in recent years has had lots of tooth decay. I recently read a drug counseling booklet given to a child at school during a drug prevention program and noticed the same pattern of decay on a methamphetamine user. I am wondering if this could cause the same thing with Adderall. The friend in earlier years had very good teeth and dental care. I don't know how long "friend" has been on Adderall.
Can Adderall cause severe tooth decay? Has anyone noticed this problem?
Question posted by friend 4 on 4 Nov 2011
Last updated on 18 June 2024
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40 Answers Page 3
JessRT
8 Aug 2017
I know that dry mouth is one if the leading causes of decay, if you don't have dry mouth as a symptom, then you should be jist fine. Before adderall I had almost clear teeth cause they were so vivid white. But jusr shelled out $500 in removal if one tooth, it was a wisdom tooth, which i never knew I had, but when it crumbled like chalk I knew there was an issue.
MissLuci
8 Aug 2017
My daughter and her two children were all prescribed Adderall for ADHD and took the meds for roughly five years. My daughter has lost all of her teeth and has severe osteopenia from the Adderall. Both children have severe dental problems and even in their early 20's are presenting with bone loss. They know of at least ten others whom have had severe tooth decay.
We are interested in a class action suit against the makers of Adderall as they did not disclose the severe issues that the drug causes to bones and teeth.
Phoenix1323
11 Nov 2018
Any news on a class action lawsuits? I too have lost all my teeth after being on dextroamphetamine (one of the main ingredients in Adderall) for several years and can't afford implants or even dentures. I am 37 years old.
L0vemedh
1 July 2017
He'll Yes It Can... I have been on Adderall for about 10 years now, I just had every tooth in my head jerked... and I have looked at them magnified and they were rotting every damn one of them except 3...
Ladycrystal0626
23 March 2017
Hmm I wonder how many other people have an issue with this? I've been prescribed adderall since 2005, only took a break for 3 years to have my daughter and didn't need it until I started working again. I didn't think any tooth problems happened in that time frame for the adderall? I was bulemic for a year or so in 2007 and then later was a wineo for a few years... so my dentist said that the decayed teeth (wisdom teeth) that grew in while bulemic, were destroyed due to stomach acid and wine acids and sugars. I've since had my teeth all fixed and will keep an eye on it from the adderall. I haven't found anything yet on adderall and tooth decaying, but best believe I'm about to research the heck out of it. Maybe also check into malnutrition from not eating properly while on adderall. You have to replenish your body with required amino acids and nutrients each day after taking adderall to ensure you are healthy.
Coconut oil pulling is a great idea but really weird and my mouth gets tired of swishing quickly. Id suggest taking vitamins at night to replenish whatever your losing, make sure to eat all meals, even if small. Try to eat healthy, not a lot of sugar or refined carbs because if the adderall does somehow weaken enamel, sugars will eat through it quickly.
Walld777
15 Jan 2017
I have been on adderall for several years. I've had beautiful teeth and my teeth also started breaking and decaying. I feel they should do more study on this problem. It should be listed as a side effect.
colbey
30 Jan 2017
found another question on this, on this site:
https://www.drugs.com/answers/adderall-tooth-decay-2924974.html
mccappa
14 Jan 2017
I never had a cavity at all, Strong healthy teeth. After three years of being prescribed adderall salts 30 mg i have 3 top teeth on top and 4 bottom. They are popping off leaving root. I am devastated. I know without a doubt adderall is the reason. My dentist did a study ever 6 of 10 loose two teeth in first five years. Class Action Suit
broomie2870
24 Nov 2013
This has happened to myself(Daughter of account owner) and it has caused me to go through a surgery to get the remains of 7 front teeth removed. I now live toothless in the front, which causes me to become extremely bullied. No, I cann't afford any replacements at this time.
mccappa
14 Jan 2017
me too. i have 3 left class action law suit. it never said all this 30mg salts 2 a day
Ivonne8
11 July 2017
I'm 55 yrs old. I've been on adderral for many years and I could say it has damaged my teeth because this stimulant must have some sort of acid I have no teeth and no money for dentures or implants either. No one ever said it could damage your mouth. I wish pray I could get compensated for all the pain due to my teeth. Please if any one knows or could staet a class action please form me why because it's not just one person saying or repeatedly saying the same thing there are quite of many that are in the same disposition as I am. Hope someone will get back to me or give me information regarding this matter. Thank you
Danni926
18 Feb 2013
hi friend 4 and alex274 - my name is danni and i am a 42 year old female, diagnosed ADHD last august 2011(wish i did this 25-30 years ago, it was a miracle i held in long enough to graduate highschool, just qualifying myself as an adderall user, btw : )) i've been taking adderall since time of diagnosis by a psychiatric nurse practioner. i do think of my life as a young adult and very regretfully wish people were as open as they are now in this country when it comes to behavioral disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, adhd, etc... Kids are pretty lucky today with being able to talk to their parents, teacher, guidance counselor or maybe team coach, about stuff that might be freaking them out, like wondering if he or she is gay, or struggling with an eating disorder, it's awesome and i wish it were like that for me growing up as a kid in the transitional 80s.
I did a lot of reading on adhd meds before my evaluation, so i could get somewhat of an idea on what to expect, and i can tell you depending on who wrote what you read on adderall, you may not always see all of the possible side effects in print... every time you think you have read it all, try another search engine, bing or yahoo, not just google, or ask.com, and u will find more info... not all of the side effects list tooth decay, and it should be in the top 5 of side effects, if you ask me! I can tell you that since august 2011 i have had 8-9 cavaties, just that i am not even sure of the exact number horrifies me a little. i am blessed to have a great job with an amazing small pharmaceutical company that handsomely rewards its employees with excellent health coverage, so regular dental visits and early detection by my dentist who was alarmed as we could not figure out what was giving me all of the cavaties as i am phanatical with flossing, brushing, rinsing and bi-annual cleanings... a good dentist will always ask you what, if any, medications you are taking, and if you haven't been there in a while, they should ask you if you are taking any new medications since the time of your last visit...
lots of meds are just as guilty as adderall, like a lot of the antidepressants on the market today... dry mouth - PLAIN & SIMPLE : ) if you can afford it, i highly recommend (to you or your friend) to invest in at least one of the products in the Biotene line of dry mouth oral care... they make tooth paste, gum, gel, mouth rinse, drops, toothbrushes, you get the idea... it's not that cheap, but just pick the one you think you would use the most... i like the gel because it comes in a tube i can carry in my pocketbook and you can just squeeze some onto your index finger and put it in your cheek and let it dissolve in your mouth. it helps replace the enzyme in your saliva that you lose due to dry mouth... most people know when they have dry mouth cause it's uncomfortable and u feel it, so you might drink more water, or brush your teeth more, but the biotene products will give you the enzyme naturally found in saliva, and water can't do that... i swear i am not a spokeswoman for Biotene, lol!!
it's been almost a year now since my last cavity and taking a few extra steps as well as dental care with dentist have totally made this crappy side effect of adderall highly manageable, in my opinion... adderall works wonders for me, so it was worth it for me to figure out how to make it work. good luck and feel free to ask me any adderall questions you may have... i see a lot of recreational users on here and it pisses me off a little, cause it's people like that who make it difficult for people like me, men and women in their 30s, 40s and 50s, to get help for adult ADHD, because women like Demi Moore draw negative attention by being prescribed adderall though not taking it for ADHD but as legal speed in order to look as LOVELY as she did prior to rehab, at 90 lbs skin and bones, and wondering why her husband left her... it's not a weight loss drug as primary indication today like it was in the 70s and early 80s (i think adderall was orbetrol before being bought by Shire and repurposed as an adhd med, and dextroamphetamine was the popular 70s weight loss drug Dexedrine, i think women swallowed the pills with Tab or Fresca, lol)... good luck and don't be ashamed to make an appointment with an adult psychiatrist or therapist who specializes in adhd... i would not recommend asking your regular primary care physician about adhd and adhd meds, most frown upon these meds and you really want the specialist for this... take care!
Mitch122
11 Feb 2015
Thanks for sharing Danni926, I also was diagnosed late in life ... 2009 at 39. Just tonight I've been doing a lot of reading on dental health. Have you ever heard of "oil pulling"?. Google it and it will take you to a blog by wellness mama. I also Googled "eating to reverse tooth decay". I'm looking forward to changing to a healthier diet and lifestyle.
Thanks again
Kiver
26 Feb 2017
Wow! It's clear you're on adderall!! lol
Tm213
13 April 2017
I was horrified to be told I needed to lose two teeth from decay, esp as I had had a brace over the previous 18months and so had never brushed my teeth more (often 3 or 4 times a day to make sure I didn't have grim bits in my brace!) I couldn't believe it, but discovered after some googling and meds I was on (elvanse for ADHD) that the speed based ADHD meds can cause 'dry mouth' and I had noticed often feeling really thirsty, but mainly the first year of meds? I have been less thirsty for a fair while. Dry mouth is caused by a lack of saliva, and apparently saliva is full of loads of good useful stuff
lovingred2
15 Sep 2017
Hi there. I know I'm way late to the thread but I'm wondering if you're still on Adderall & if so, have you been successful with limiting your tooth decay? I've been on it just over a year & my last cleaning, just 4 months ago, was perfect like most others, 2x a year for 30+ years. Broke a tooth 3 weeks ago & while fixing that she said, "I don't know what's going on but basically every tooth has at least 1 cavity & some gums receeding." So I'll have 5 sessions to fix everything; several fillings, 2 crowns, 2-3 root canals, as of right now. I'm at the dentist right now - was here Wed for 1 crown & filling, left with a temp crown, now it's Fri for the real crown & they've had to redo it bcuz there was additional decay... IN JUST 2 DAYS, enough to require additional drilling & fit a new crown. My first cavity was at 30, while prego, & over the next 10yrs only 2 cavities & 1 root canal.
So SOMETHING'S happened within the last few months!
I was diagnosed with Lupus, Firbro & others 6yrs ago & Cystic Fibrosis 2 yrs ago.(Oct 2015) & suffered with severe dry mouth issues since before my lupus dx. Due to lupus fog, as well as neuro side effects from Prednisone, my mental capacity has severely diminished & severe exhaustion is an understatement. After several different combos, we decided to try Adderall & it's been life changing. Often i was confined to bed simply because my body did not have enough fuel to stand. Adderall has not only gotten me out of bed, it's allowed me to take care of my kids again; taking them to school, cooking, laundry etc. I still have flares, but much less than before.
I REALLY don't want to give up my Adderall, but my dentist is now worried that all this work we're starting will not be enough & that I'll just have to get it all repaired again in a few years, if that long! ANY advice, this to manage my dental health would be soooooooooo very appreciated!
PS - I echo your frustration with people misusing this and many other meds. Also, people who may be struggling through some tough times, but choose to pop a pill rather than deal with an issue just to avoid stress or confrontations. There's stress, & then there's STRESS. The last 2 generations have NOT been given the tools to handle, cope & conquer stress, conflict, problems etc, instead, giving them pills to numb away the pain & "safe zones" when they feel threatened or hurt because homework isn't fair or they don't like what someone has to say, etc. Because of this, those of us who REALLY NEED & REQUIRE these meds have a very hard time getting medical professionals to believe we really have these issues or we're labeled druggies because someone Demi'd.
SPEAKING UP & HAVING CONVERSATIONS IS IMPERATIVE FOR UNDERSTANDING & COMPASSION, AS WELL AS SUPPORT & RESOLUTION... SO REMEMBER TO SPEAK UP & SPEAK OUT!
Addydawn
2 Feb 2018
Excellent information. I know that methamphetamine causes severe tooth decay and loss of teeth. I was taking Concerta for 7 years for adult ADHD. I had no problems with my teeth as a result. However, I can no longer get the Concerta and I started using adderall. I have taken the adderall for about 6 months, now. I always had good teeth. I have lost a bottom front tooth. That doesn’t look so good. Now, another bottom front tooth is loose. The ironic thing is that without the ADHD type med, I grind my teeth. I am concerned because I think the adderall causes bone loss due to calcium depletion. I believe all stimulants of this nature do that. I also can’t stop playing with the tooth that bothers me. It’s like the moth drawn to the flame.
Casiecormier1
15 March 2018
I am so thankful I just read this post, it’s giving me some hope. I have had horrible cavities since adderall. I take 20 mg of time realeased once daily. I have had 5 root canals in the last 5 years and need two more. Three of the 5 that I have had some aren’t looking too good. Before adderall I have had absolutely no teeth issues. I have been off of it for a week now and it’s pretty terrible. I forgot how hard it is to manage my thoughts and feel like I’m present in the moment. I’m tempted to get back on the meds and try biotin. Can you tell me how you’re doing now?
javid82
24 April 2021
Thank you for sharing your heartfelt story and adding to the already mounting testimonials sure to create even harder obstacles for people suffering from ADD to be treated properly. Furthermore, for your story and the 20 or so on here, there are millions like me with 20+ years on the stimulants with NO cavities or oral hygiene issues because we practiced and still practice proper hygiene and diet/lifestyles. It reminds me of the lawsuit that was so publicized by Obese people trying to get rich from McDonald's and other fast-food establishments and guess what? They LOST because they were the very minute rare examples of coincidental cases in a sea of millions of occasional fast food eaters ( that exercised daily ) proving them wrong.
alex274
18 Feb 2013
I am trying to find out the same question. My teeth over the last 6 months have begin to decay at a rapid rate. If you find out anything I would appreciate any word on it.
619Sam
1 Sep 2016
The same thing is happening to me. I've always had perfect teeth. Despite brushing everyday my teeth have began to decay after 12 mo of 20mg x2 / day.
mccappa
14 Jan 2017
i have lost every tooth in a five year period after starting adder all. I am going for implants never had a cavity at all. devastated
Crisner
16 July 2018
I am 63 years old and have been taking adderall for a bit over 15 years. Now I am experiencing problems with my teeth, mainly serious breakage of the molars with fillings. When the local Dentist quoted me $13k US I about fell out of the chair. I am now planning a trip to Los Algodones, Mexico to have the work performed. The Dentists there are ADA certified and their clientele is largely Arizona retirees. The posted reviews and testimonials are very good. I had a good assumption that my teeth may be harmed just looking at the smiles of methamphetamine users, but at my age it could well be that the lack of fluoride when I was a child and the size of the fillings could be the main culprit. At my job, the quality of my work increased dramatically and the promotions followed. The risk to me was worth the possible side effect. I will be happy to smile wide soon.
darthzilla
5 Nov 2011
I've read quite a bit about Adderall side effects and never saw anything about tooth decay - that would be a new one. Maybe someone else could be more helpful, but I've never heard of anything like that.
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Further information
- Adderall uses and safety info
- Adderall prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Adderall (detailed)
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