People have hailed Suboxone as a miracle drug for opioid use disorder since its introduction in 2002. The medication stops cravings and manages withdrawal symptoms. It quickly dissolves when taken under the tongue as a sublingual film and starts to work in as little as 20 minutes, making it an attractive option for people in treatment for substance abuse. But Suboxone has significant risks that patients weren’t warned about — the side effects can be debilitating. The medication can lead to dental issues that are extremely painful and difficult to fix. In some cases, the damage is too severe to repair fully. And even if it is fixable, the procedures can be cost-prohibitive.
Dental problems are associated with a wide array of side effects. Tooth and gum conditions can affect self-esteem and mental health, along with making it difficult to eat. The physical pain and emotional distress can lead to anxiety, depression, and increased stress. Someone with dental problems may feel worried over their changed appearance and tempted to isolate themselves. While some dental issues are genetic, the problems that affect Suboxone film patients are preventable. In 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated the drug’s label to caution patients about the risk of severe dental conditions.
Why Does Suboxone Cause Tooth Problems?
The active ingredients in Suboxone sublingual film, buprenorphine/naloxone, are naturally acidic. Physicians advise patients to let the film dissolve completely under the tongue. A few minutes may not seem like a lot of time, but it’s enough for the medication to damage tooth enamel and cause trouble when taken daily, which is typically how Suboxone is prescribed. Additionally, Suboxone can cause xerostomia or dry mouth. Saliva protects the teeth, so a lack of it can make patients more likely to develop tooth decay. To lessen the risk of dental disease, the FDA recommends that patients take a gulp of water and swish it around the mouth before swallowing. However, this may not be enough, and patients might still experience problems. The below list includes some of the most common health conditions diagnosed in Suboxone film patients. The injuries vary in severity but can all cause significant physical, emotional, and financial distress.
Tooth Decay
The bacteria in the mouth can cause tooth enamel damage when it’s too acidic. The decay happens in stages — at its most severe, it will make it to a tooth’s nerves and blood vessels, which can feel excruciating. Tooth decay is also responsible for cavities, small holes in the teeth that can be painful and often costly to repair. Cavity procedures can cost thousands of dollars, putting a significant financial strain on someone who may already be struggling.
Infection
Tooth infections happen when bacteria seriously damage the teeth or gums. If tooth problems become severe enough, they can progress to a dental abscess, which occurs when a pocket of pus forms in a tooth. Abscesses can be life-threatening if the infection goes untreated, spreading to the brain or heart. Additionally, they are usually excruciatingly painful, causing sufferers to seek immediate treatment.
Tooth Loss
When adults lose teeth, it can signal more serious problems. Tooth loss, also called dental avulsion, affects millions of Americans. Potential complications include jaw pain, bone loss, and other teeth shifting into the space, which can cause alignment and bite problems. Treatments exist to help patients who have lost teeth, but they are often expensive and not always covered by dental insurance.
Gum Disease
Healthy gums are an essential part of a healthy mouth. The gums protect the teeth and aid in disease prevention. Periodontitis occurs when the gums become unhealthy due to bacteria. It’s exceedingly common, with almost half of adults older than 30 showing symptoms of gum disease. But when the condition becomes severe, it can lead to teeth falling out and bone loss.
The benefits of Suboxone are widely touted, but patients who weren’t warned about the side effects of the drug may feel blindsided when serious dental symptoms develop. They’re left with injuries they didn’t expect. If you have injuries from Suboxone sublingual film use, you might be eligible to file a Suboxone lawsuit against the companies involved with the drug, including Indivior and Reckitt Benckiser.
Suboxone Lawsuits
If you took Suboxone sublingual film as prescribed and suffered serious dental injuries, you may wonder whether you have anything you can do to help move forward. You should talk to a dangerous drugs attorney to explore your legal options and determine whether filing a Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit is a possibility. You could be reimbursed for your medical bills and damages for pain and suffering. It’s essential that you contact a lawyer as soon as possible to get the process started.
Our firm is diligently advocating for Suboxone patients with dental injuries. Some Suboxone dental injuries are permanent and cannot be reversed. Even if a dental problem is treatable, it can cause significant pain and emotional anguish. Our attorneys have extensive experience with Suboxone lawsuits and expert knowledge of complex product liability law. CSS partner Andy Childers was appointed as a member of the Plaintiff’s Executive Committee for the Suboxone Multidistrict Litigation (MDL), and our lawyers regularly handle product liability cases, including those involving dangerous medications. For more information or a free case consultation, call Childers, Schlueter & Smith at (800) 641-0098 or contact us online.
