Oxy Tetracycline and Teeth???

mae

I am currently taking long term oxy tetracycline tablets for my acne so will be on it for a long time. Does this ruin your teeth and how? DO any of the kind dentists out there know???

Katykat

I am a nurse, not a dentist, but you are right to have concerns. Oxytetracycline can cause discoloured teeth. Eventually they appear grey, sometimes very dark. I dont really know if it actually decays your teeth, i am inclined to think that it doesn't, but who wants grey/black teeth. It is an old treatment, there are more modern and safer remedies out there now. Discuss this with your doctor. I'm not sure a dentist can help you other than with tips on how to minimize the side effects,

Toothsmith

Tetracycline staining is something that happens if Tetracycline is taken whilst your tooth enamel is still forming. It stains the enamel and dentine a very orangy grey colour, and although this can be bleached out, it takes forever and is very expensive to do.

Most patients often end up having the teeth veneered or even crowned in order to mask it.

The good news is that the visible bits of the front teeth have finished forming (under the gum) by the age of 6, and that all teeth apart from the wisdom teeth have formed their crowns by the age of 12.

I had a friend & patient who illustrated this beautifully. He had perfect teeth right round to his wisdom teeth which were very grey. He had been prescribed tetracycline at 12. He was a Pharmacist, and whilst he was a student he was used to show to other students the effect of the antibiotic!

So, assuming you are older than 12, no tetracycline will not harm your teeth.

Taking antibiotics long term can upset the balance of bugs in your mouth though, which can lead to a bit more staining than you're used to.

This staining will be easily cleaned off by a dentist or hygienist, and the better you brush your teeth, the less it will build up. (Better = more time, not more pressure!)

Anna-Marie_4

I took oxytetracycline for quite a few years for acne and didn't notice any problems with my teeth, it was great for my acne though!!