Lamictal Gum Problems, Google Search, Tooth Enamel, Gum Disease, Discernible Reason
Posted over a year ago
I was on Lamictal for 4 years and after the first year I suddenly started having all kinds of teeth and gum problems for no discernible reason. But since Lamictal has the possible side effect of "sores or blisters on the inside of the mouth" I wondered if it could be related. ... more »
I was on Lamictal for 4 years and after the first year I suddenly started having all kinds of teeth and gum problems for no discernible reason. But since Lamictal has the possible side effect of "sores or blisters on the inside of the mouth" I wondered if it could be related.
I did a Google search and am coming up with no experts yet, but lots and lots of posts connecting anticonvulsant meds, particularly Lamictal, Topamax, Neurontin, and Depakote, with dental problems. Dilantin is well known for causing gum disease and breaking down tooth enamel, loosening of teeth, and even breaking down of jawbone tissue.
I don't think the experts have connected the dots yet, but is anyone else having this problem?
Tdog42 - I am currently going through the exact same issues that you have described. I have seen a dentist, periodonist, dermatologist and regular doctor and have not found any cure. This is the most frustrating thing I have gone through.
Absisback - Thanks for replying!
Come to find out, anticonvulsants in general take a terrible toll on your mouth when taken long term. They make gums swell, which in turn loosens teeth, plus they strip and thin your enamel, further leaving teeth vulnerable to decay. And it's the whole class of drugs and apparently it's a known fact for years - I just never came across it or connected the dots before.
Thankfully I'm able to be off Lamictal now, but I am TRULY incensed that my brain-dead dentist never told me Lamictal might be the cause of my dental problems. It was right there in the chart! He noticed I was diabetic while pregnant 17 years ago and gave me a huge honking lecture on the dangers of diabetes related to tooth decay. He complained incessantly about my bleeding gums. And at the rate my teeth were falling apart, he lectured me like a child on taking care of them and told me I was lying when I said I did brush, floss, and rinsed with ACT. But never once did he bother to mention that Lamictal might cause any problem.
So now I have to find a smarter dentist. And soon, since of the work this moron did is coming OFF, literally, it's falling off my teeth. Moron.
Moral, don't trust doctors and dentists to know everything about drugs, even the ones they prescribe.
444111 - A bit shocking when i read your posting. I've had nearly all of these same mouth/gum teeth problems. I never attributed it as a possible side effect to the lamictal. I've gone from 300 to 400 to 500 to 600 finding the memory loss, confusion, paranoia untolerable going from 400 to 600. I'm currently back to 400 but still feeling the confusion from trying 600 that i stopped about two days ago. I was started on the med about 2 1/2 years ago and sincerely believe that it had a major effect in saving my life with depression and drug abuse.
I can't recall exactly when i first noticed the teeth problems but i've had visual loss of enamel. I've had tooth soreness mostly of minor pain, on episode of severe pain . The dentist have ground some teeth down in an effort to change my bite which they believe is causing the pain..Now instead of one tooth that is sensitive and sore the pain seems to dance around both uppers and lowers most in the back.
All of this pain thus far is minor but prior to the last few years i've never had this type of pain. My teeth are otherwise in good condition.
so your information is really wow, really scary.
I think that perhaps, because also the antidepression aspect seems to be petering out, that its time to have a talk with my shrink about changing meds.
I try to be a pretty clean living guy these days and dislike taking anything unnatural but when it comes to this lamictal bercause it was so effective initially, i've just ignored the literature when it comes to investigating these other possible side effects.
Thank you so much for posting this info.
It would be great if we could talk further.
thanks again, kevin
Absisback - I'm glad the info helped, sorry you're having the same problems! I've been off Lamictal for almost a year now and still having problems with gingivitis. And the stupid dentist that did all that work on my teeth? Part of it has come off, so now I have to find a new dentist and explain the whole thing to them. I've been using a toothpaste called Pronamel and using the ACT fluoride rinse that is supposed to help enamel. I guess it's helping because no NEW problems have shown up.
Take care... of you and your teeth!
Abs
444111 - Concerning dental/teeth problems with Lamictal, Neurontin and others. Once explanation might be is that one of the major side effects of these drugs is dry mouth. The mouth is not meant to be dry, therefore it is possible that the dental/tooth/ oral problems might be explained as simply secondary effects of dry mouth. Thought i am a practicing medical clinician (ER-PA-C) i'm certainly no expert in Psyche Pharmacalogy.
I too have been experiencing these dental/oral problems for the 2 1/2 years that i've been on both neurontin and lamictal. I Keep a cup of water next to my bed and usually end up drinking about 6 oz during the night. This helps (maybe) but i'm not really sure how effective it is in countering the problems secondary to dry mouth.
Perhaps there is sometthing more than just dry mouth that is causing the dental problems.
Thought I experienced a major beneficial relief of my depression when i began taking 200mg, (2 1/2 years ago) as i've gone up from 200 to 300 to 400 in order to maintain the same relief of depression symptons, i've experienced more and more (in addition to the dental problems) confusion, memory loss, fuzzy thinking, mild hand tremor, vision problems, binge eating (especially carbs). Now that i'''ve recently attempted to increase dose to 600mg i became a psychotic neurotic sort of zombie. This ill- advised experiement lasted about 5 days.
After reading so many of the postings on the negative side effects of Lamictal, I am asking my shrink to get me off this drug that no longer seems to be effectively treating my depression and now looking back, has really had some major negative impacts on my health.
However, having pointed out all these negative aspects of Lamictal, I experienced such a profound relief from many years of severe depression, looking back, I think that i would still take the drug and accept the adverse effects. It was that significant in helping to save my life.
In summary, i want off the drug that was once my saviour, and no longer seems to be effective in relief of depression, and attempting to increase dosage (to 600mg) to a theraputic level, i'm not willing to tolerate the negative side effects.
I'd be more than happy to offer any furter details of my experience. thanks so much for sharing the info that has been posted.
N831111 - I have been on the drug for about 2years and over that period of time I have noticed a significant increase in mouth sores on my tongue and the gums. I thought that I contracted some form of Herpes which, as most of us koo-koo brain people go, is not cool because we'll obsess about it. Anyway, I went to my dentist to get a few crowns and he said that he was very concerned because during the procedure I was bleeding like a stuck pig. I knew about something called Gingival Hypertrophy as I work in healthcare. I was pretty sure that it could be caused by the use of Dilantin which, like Lamictal, is used as an anti-convulsant. I figured that if Dilantin could cause this awfull syndrome that causes mouth sores and bleeding gums perhaps Lamictal could as well. I started investigating and found many websites with people telling their stories. What a relief! Now I know what is going on and why I've had a constant fear of having some disease and a fear of always having bad breath caused by the dry mouth. I agree with the comments on Biotene. It has helped out a lot. I am hesitant however to get off the drug. Maybe I'll try the applesauce trick.
Absisback - You have a point about dry mouth. And especially when these anticonvulsants are used in psych therapy, there are many times accompanying drugs like antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs which invariably also increase dry mouth.
Problem is, even though I drink a good deal of water, I still have problems with dry mouth. What's the answer? Sucking on candy, sugar-free or not, is usually what's recommended, even by my dentist. And what does that do? Rot my teeth. Watch out for those sugar-free ones. They either use a natural form of sugar, like fructose, or aspirtame, and I'm not sure a mouth full of that would be healthy either.
I really hate to see so many people having these problems, but then misery loves company. I can't believe I was so un-informed for so long about this!
Matthewb - My name is Matthew I have had seizures since I was 19. I began to take Dilantin around that time and I'm currently 25. Prior to taking Dilantin I had perfect teeth, no decay brushed reuglarly. Now I have excessive bleeding of the Gums and just lost my 3rd tooth to the meds. But, I need these pills to control my seizures. No Doctor or Dentist can give any better way of cleaning my teeth than what I am currently doing. Brush twice, floss, low sugar intake, Mouth Wash, don't smoke etc.... So how can I save my teeth when the Medical Community has no answer? Plus they don't know what causes the seizures as well but Dilantin keeps them in Semi Check. I will still have break out seizure once in awhile.
Absisback - Hi Matthew,
I was lucky enough to be able to discontinue Lamictal and even a year later I'm still having problems with gum bleeding. The advice you got from the dentist is pretty much it. I did work with a lady who took her toothbrush and paste to work and brushed right after lunch too. My dentist also recommended no fruit juices or carbonated drink (especially not caffienated ones). He said they wash away your enamel.
His analogy was throwing buckets of water against drywall. It washes a little away at a time until you have soggy drywall (or in the case of your teeth, thin enamel). At first it sounded like b s to me, but I have to admit, the teeth that I have the thinnest enamel on are those in the front and when I paid attention to how I drink, sure enough liquids wash over those teeth unless you are using a straw. So the caffeine and the acids washing against your teeth constantly apparently make the enamel thinner. Anyway, less carbonated and caffeinated drinks can't hurt.
I think I put it in another post, but I did find a toothpaste called Pronamel and an ACT rinse that specifies that it helps strengthen enamel. That seems to have helped me some. I also take calcium+D for other reasons, but that may help as well. Again, couldn't hurt.
Good luck!
Meredith83 - Yes! I have been on Lamictal for about eight months now and I've been having all sorts of problems with tooth pain and gum sensitivity. Right now it's even hurting me to bite down completely. I've always had some sensitivity, but now my gums are bleeding and I really do have excellent oral hygeine. I'm even taking a lower dose of Lamictal than I was at first... but I'm going to the dentist on Thursday so I will ask and see what's going on! I saw something on a dentist website about anticonvulsants.. but similar to you, I did a google search and nothing concrete came up..
Californiaresident - I have always had sensitive teeth, but recently I have been having some major tooth issues. My enamel is deteriorating, and I am noticing new cavities every 4 months. I started Lamictal in May 2008, and it is now January of 2009, and my teeth are much worse now. I think it may be the Lamictal, because I don't really eat too many sweets and I don't drink coffee.
Cassus - I also use Lamictal, and i've been chipping off pieces of my front teeth for the past few months, and it's pretty much my worst nightmare. I'm not really all that anxious about how i look and whatnot, I've always had crooked teeth and stuff and it hasn't bothered me.. But teeth that don't work right anymore.. that's a nightmare for me..
I can't quit lamictal either. I'm bipolar and i know what happens if I'm off meds.
I'm not loving this situation right here.. Seems my two options are being a toothless guy with a pretty stable mood, or being suicidal/manic with healthy teeth.
If i was wealthy I'd just remove all teeth and get a new set already... Oh well, at least i can still chew taffy!
Charlenemae - Same problem here. My new DDS said my gums look like hamburger. I am not sure I want to stay with someone so rude but at least he is honest.I never realized that it is the Lamictal that is destroying my gums. Thank your post. I hope cassus chooses the stable mood over the healthy gums but with some work hopefully you can have both. And try to ease up on the taffy.
Bchgirl01 - to the guy that said the pharmacist said to hide the lamictal in applesauce, did he say why this helped?
Steelertini - I have only been on Lamictal for 3 weeks and this morning when I went to brush my teeth, I thought I was going to shoot thru the roof!!! BOTH sides of my mouth have extremely sensitive spots. I'm not really digging this medication at all.
Behappy - You can use tooth paste that is specific for sensitive teeth right. Even when there is general weakness your teeth will feel sensitiveness. You can find it at http://www.internationaldrugmart.com/over-the-counter-meds/sensodyne.shtml
707suzanne - Yes! I suddenly developed periodontitis with significant bone loss after taking Lamictal for 3 years. It wasn't a slow progression over time so I knew it had to be a medication or something I've been doing recently. I've already lost one tooth and now many others are loose. The estimate for the first phase of treatment is over $4000 and insurance covers a max of $1500 per year. I am devastated. I'm 45 and I don't want dentures. I was never warned about this at all. This is a terrible problem. Maybe it is the Lamictal! I am very upset about this. Thanks for the post.
Dammedmedication - this is the second time the internet has saved my life. i had a chipped tooth. three weeks ago, i would say right before i started lamictrol. today i had suchas seering pain that i can't see straight! i made an appointment to see my dentist but i started going through the same checklist i always go through when i start having major issues 'what am i eating differently, what am i taking differently' and lamictrol is it. i fell flat on my face injuring my atherticknee, then i started havng the tooth pain etc.
so i am going to take lamictrol like i took the topomax before i got tired of it. when i need one i'll take it, like asprin.
ive spent a mint on my teeth. and i dont need to have them destroyed by a pil. teeth do not regenerate.
Absisback - Dammedmedication - sorry, I have just now found you post - I hope you get this reply.
Lamictal may be the cause of the increased sensitivity, but please, PLEASE, do not take it off and on. Taking any anticonvulsant medication, whether you are taking them for seizures or for anything else, has to be consistent. It has to build up in your system and the level has to be maintained to do any good.
But worse than not doing what you need it to do, taking these meds off and on can have two other effects. 1) They will stop working altogether as your body learns to ignore the medication because it can't depend on getting it regularly. In this case, once your body ignores the med, even if you start taking it regularly, it may do no good. What's worse, it may make your body indifferent to that entire CLASS of medications, so even taking a different medication may not work. 2) Taking anticonvulsants piece-meal can actually CAUSE seizures, whether you take them for a seizure condition or not. This is also why you are supposed to taper down the dose slowly when you discontinue these meds, so your body doesn't go into convulsions.
Believe me, I hate Lamictal, I hate all the anticonvulsants they have tried me on for various issues like migraines, antidepressant, etc, but when I stopped my meds I tapered them down one at a time with the supervision of my doctor and pharmacist. As a former phamacry technician, I hope that you won't risk your health this way. I wish doctors and pharmacists would be more clear in telling patients WHY we need to do things as well as just telling us WHAT to do. Phamaceuticals can be very dangerous and there is no such thing as too much information or being too careful with them.
Take care!
Abs
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