I have a strange question that I've not seen addressed here yet. I was on about 500 mg of tramadol for 12 years for fibromyalgia. It worked wonderfully for me and helped me be productive in a way that I hadn't been for so long. I am 45 years old now, so I started taking it at about age 33 or so. I noticed that after about 4 or 5 years my teeth kept breaking on even pretzels and fries. My dentist told me it was the tramadol causing the problems. I'm now looking at a full mouth of implants or dentures for the rest of my life. Has anyone else had this problem? My dentist seems to have seen it before, but I've never seen anyone address it online
Anyone been a tramadol for a long time and had problems with teeth breaking?
Question posted by Dorothy2010 on 3 Aug 2010
Last updated on 1 June 2022 by SunnyFLnPain
15 Answers
Yes, due to pain meds and the stronger ones do it faster. We wouldn't b on them but 4 pain; so it's necessary to treat pain; pain is affecting our lives. We didn't want pain, but we have it. Just like you need dialysis and heart meds; you didn't wake up and say: Geez, think Tramadol will be fun. The stronger pain meds work better but affect your head more IMHO. Tramadol is in the better than nothing category, but it is "better than nothing!" *grin. Yes, had dental implants, and hated it, but I do have very real pain. Pain is the real FOUR LETTER WORD... I need my life, implants are a reality now for me, but I work, and
try to enjoy life, family, and travel. What are the options? I know, I have tried most all; it's a real situation we're dealing with here.
I have been taking tramadol for around 13 years. I take around 600 - 800 mg daily. I recently had a big oral surgery to remove two more teeth and get a bone graft because of a bad extraction. I am only 28 years old and I’m missing 4 teeth already. I am getting implants when I’m healed from surgery. My teeth started going bad about 6 years ago. I never understood why my teeth went so bad all of a sudden. Now it’s starting to make sense. That really sucks.
I too have been on Tramadol since 2016 when I was diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia. I’ve been having a really bad flare up / episode of TN and initially blamed it on that - but the entire inside of my mouth feels raw / on fire. It’s now impacting my throat and sinus area. I can’t see Dr until Monday afternoon. I’m now wondering if this is Tramadol related. All I can say for sure is I’m so painful and nothing is helping.
Yes!
Been on it approximately 16 years and my teeth are horrible already missing 5.
I’ve been on tramadol since 2005, I was 55 at that time , it has been the only drug that helped my facial pain ... but I too have now lost all upper teeth ... if I would have known I never would have taken it ... I took pride in my teeth
Yes I'm a disabled vet in the VA put this on me for 10 years Tramadol has ruined all of my teeth. My teeth have broke and the nerves are dead in all of my root canals have fallen out it's a mess. Now I'm in the process of proving all of this to the VA so I can open up a claim I am only 80% so they will not do anything for my dental until proven otherwise.
I'm 40 years old and have been on Tramadol 50mg for 4 years now. Still in a great amount of pain. I'm so glad this question was asked because I'm known for my big pretty smile and healthy looking teeth until the last year. At my gum line my top front and side teeth have holes now!!! I have extremely great dental hygiene and don't brush hard, nor do I drink soda. I see the dentist for a cleaning every 6 months. When my dentist saw my teeth this last visit she was shocked! She suspects it's the tramadol for sure. Now my teeth are extremely weak from top to bottom of tooth with the big holes and the tips feel thin and light sandpaper. (LOSS OF ENAMEL) I'm extremely devastated. Having to deal with Fibromyalgia, Graves Disease, a broken back and severe chronic anxiety is bad enough, and now this... tears. The first thing most people see is our teeth. I never show my smile anymore and am in an anormous amount of dental pain.
Trying to come up with the funding for dental work now :(
My dentist also mentioned that Gabapentin could also be a culprit. I forget which meds I'm on where the pill book I have, actually states as a side effect... dental problems
I know you posted this 7 1/4 years ago, but I am very curious to know what the name of your reference pill book is??? I believe it would be most beneficial for me. Please and thank you!
Hello, my name is Dennis. I've been on tramadol for about 12yrs for several injuries. I'm a disabled veteran and this has been prescribed to me by the VA. My teeth have progressively gotten really bad. I'm not a hard drug user and I practice good oral hygiene too. These are the things people always relate to bad teeth. I too am 45 yrs young and are in need of dentures or implants. Uhg! What do we do?
I am 65 years old and having used Tramadol for over12 years. In the past few years I've lost several teeth rotting from the inside out. I've had root canals and crowns. Today a front tooth broke off and I'm horrified. I have a dental appt in two werks. Ugh. I wonder if anyone knows of class action suit against the drug maker. I was never warned about this potential tooth problem and it will cost
I have been on tramadol for about 12 years and today I was sitting here watching a special in Netflix about drugs and I don’t know why but decided to look up about teeth problems from taking tramadol because mine are breaking off and rotting from inside out I have always taken care of my teeth but now don’t know what to do. I also have dry mouth and bad gums. I have had 4 neck surgeries back surgery hip and shoulder surgeries plus I have fibromyalgia I’m always in pain. Now I want to get off my tramadol so I am going to talk to my dr about trying something else. I don’t want to lose all my teeth. If anyone hears of anything that I can do please let me know.
I have had problems with breaking teeth and fillings falling out etc but I put it down to age, bad luck or insufficient dental hygiene. Never ever thought about the influence of tramadol.
I never heard that. I know people who went 3 years on tramadol without that problem. By the way, I´m afraid that at consecuence of my pelvic pain i will have to take tramadol for the rest of my life (the only painkiller that really worked for me). And i hope it´d be more than 40 years (I´m young and my last kid was born this year). Will i have to increase with the years the dosage for the same pain relief result? (I´m actually at 300 mg p day)? thanks in advance
Hello Dorthy2010
Yes this is begining to happen with me as well on only 50 mg after four years
of therapy. Not teeth chiping but gumline dryness. I will ask about the lozanges your dentist recomends, thanks for the tip.
Unfortunately for these kinds of medications, and others that we generally take, our mouths dry out. I have been on them for years, (you name it, I've tried it, just for a LIFE), anyhow, I went to a specialist from a nearby University Hospital, who told me my ONLY option was to get off ALL the medication I am on (Cymbalta, pain meds,) everything else that my doctor has put me on for fibro, or else I would lose my teeth. I go have them cleaned every three months, just had to have a major gum cleaning. I don't want to lose anymore teeth, and I am just 51, all from a bunch of hoodlums trying to rob me. Good luck!! Keep LOTS of sugar free candies, and hydration with you at all times. That's the key to keeping your mouth lubricated.
That's what my dentist said. I am one whole week off all medication and I feel okay (just okay) today. I want my tramadol so much! Tomorrow I start about $12,000 (my cost) of dental restoration. If I had known how tramadol would affect my life 12 years ago I would never have tried it, but no one knew it seems. I am trying so hard to eliminate ALL medication residue from my body just to see what will happen and how I really feel underneath it all.
Wow, i am so impressed that you have stopped all of your meds! You should be so proud of yourself. Don't give in! You have come so far already! If you feel cravings, try going for a walk, don't take anything with you, except your phone/house key! Take deep breaths and take in the environment, notice the birds and the flowers and trees, and how nature smells, appreciate how the world feels when you are sober. Consider how you can make good, sensible decisions now, and know that they are what you really want, not want the drugs want. I'm so glad you added this post, i would have had no idea about dental problems due to tramadol otherwise. I will start taking extra care of my teeth now! Do you mind me asking how old you are?
Hi, i am shocked to hear that, that is awful i'm so sorry for you.
But it got me thinking, and i have always had strong teeth, but over the last couple of years my teeth have been chipping really easily, and parts of fillings have fallen out, as well as gums bleeding every time i brush. This could just be a coincidence, and doesn't really compare to the extent of your dental problems, but it has certainly made me think!! I have been on Tramadol (at high doses) for about 2 years
That's EXACTLY how it started. They started chipping first, then became very brittle. My dentist said that it's because of the way tramadol dries up your mouth. I never really felt that sensation, but he put me on a kind of lozenge that helps keep your mouth moist to cut down on bacteria. I'm really a nice-looking woman, but my mouth makes me look like I don't take care of myself.
Yes me please contact me jmueller_1@ yahoo.com
I have the same problem with my teeth and have heard tramadol has caused this. It does cause dry mouth and this might be a reason, but interested in finding out how many people have experienced this. Might be a serious side affect, enough to stop people from taking or maybe reimbursed for dental cost. After years of being on it, I changed my mess.
Do you crush the medication with your teeth? i have been told that crushing meds. with your teeth can cause this to happen but not suddenly like that no ive never heard of that before. I am taking norco which is an even stronger pain med than tramadol for 7-8 years and have never had any of my teeth break god forbide that ever happen to anyone sorry to hear that. You really havent been taking it that long so im seriously scratching my head on this one.
No, I just swallowed them, but my dentist said it looked like "meth mouth" to him. The teeth were strong in the beginning - normal, but began breaking off at the gum line.
Wow im really sorry to hear that i will make sure i spread the word about what this medication can do to you after all we do only get one set to live with the rest of our life.
Norco is not necessarily a "stronger" medication. It works differently in many ways and in such ways it could be considered to be stronger. The efficacy of Tramadol as far as it pertains to pain management is dependent upon those effects which are different from Norco. IMO :) thanks guys.
Yes yes me, all my teeth!!! Please contact me! Please jmueller _1@ yahoo.com
same problem with teeth :(
I am having the same problem with my teeth. And I have been taking Tramadol for around 4 years now. I was on fentenal patches for not even 6 months and I went back to the tramadol. In my area there is no dentist taking anyone. I had moved away for awhile and now can't go back to the dentist that I had. I also have a bad taste in my mouth. And no matter what I drink or how many times I brush my teeth I can't get rid of it.
I am having the same problem with my teeth. And I have been taking Tramadol for around 4 years now. I was on fentenal patches for not even 6 months and I went back to the tramadol. In my area there is no dentist taking anyone. I had moved away for awhile and now can't go back to the dentist that I had. I also have a bad taste in my mouth. And no matter what I drink or how many times I brush my teeth I can't get rid of it.
Related topics
fibromyalgia, tramadol, side effect
Further information
- Tramadol uses and safety info
- Tramadol prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Tramadol (detailed)
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