Methadones and Dental Health

1. Methadones and Dental Health Methadone is a well-known opioid (narcotic) medication. The purpose for the usage of Methadone is that it reduces the withdrawal symptoms found in people those are addicted to heroin or other similar drugs without causing the "highness" associated with the drug abuse Methadone is widely used as a pain reliever and also as a part of drug abuse detoxification and health maintenance programs. It is only available at certified medical stores. Methadone is one among the oldest and wide used medications for the treatment of narcotic addiction. While a variety of myths surround the use of methadone, one amongst the most common is that the medication adversely affects dental health. Sadly, this is one story that’s rooted in fact. Methadone will cause a particular quantity of dental caries, but no more than the other narcotic. And definitely, nothing compared to the dental harm done by methamphetamines, a.k.a. meth-mouth. It’s a usually ignored side effect, however, opiate medications normally cause a heavy reduction in the quantity of saliva that's created by a healthy mouth. Naturally, the dearth of oral wetness ends up in dry mouth. And because of the continued lack of saliva, people experience a rise of plaque and dental bacteria – an ideal atmosphere for tooth decay. Suboxone and dental caries: When compared to methadone, Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) includes a totally different kind of chemical makeup. It's a partial opiate and isn't believed to cause a big reduction of saliva within the mouth. Even with long use, fewer people report seeing a rise of Suboxone-related tooth decay. Why is dry mouth Dangerous? Saliva plays a very important role in dental health. Despite the fact, it sounds like a simple body fluid, saliva does much more than keep the mouth moisturized. Many of the dear benefits are:  Protects the teeth from decay  Makes it possible to chew and swallow food  Helps to digest food properly  Controls harmful bacteria in mouth and prevents infection How to avoid cavity: Though methadone – and Suboxone to some extent – surely increase the danger of dental caries, users aren’t condemned to a life of poor dental health. Here are some easy preventative steps and can get more detail information at Carenician  Use dental floss for at least two times a day.  Brush your teeth about four times per day.  Chew sugar-free gum to prevent mouth dryness.  Rinse properly your mouth every time you eat.

2.  Use antiseptic mouthwashes for about 4 to 5 times a day.  Be in contact with your dentist for weekly or daily checkups. Note:  Use of a straw for consumption of methadone should be suggested to reduce contact with dental structures.Pain management is additionally a problem with these patients. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAID’s) are the main pain medication to be prescribed, though narcotics with high receptor affinity, like hydromorphone, can be used.It's recommended to have the medical practitioner monitoring the methadone therapy to manage/prescribe narcotic analgesics.  The dental management of patients receiving methadone treatments is often complicated. There is a range of drug related problems as well as medical and psychosocial problems that require being thought of before initiating dental treatment. Consultation with the patient’s doctor relating to their medical history is suggested, particularly when narcotic analgesics need to be prescribed.