Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit: Case Details and Latest News

Introducing the Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit

Suboxone is a commonly prescribed medication used to treat Opioid use disorder (OUD). The drug’s primary active ingredients, buprenorphine and naloxone, combine to reduce opioid cravings while also lessening withdrawal symptoms.

In the years since its 2002 release, Suboxone has become a popular – and very effective – treatment for OUD and is regarded by many specialists to be a safer alternative to methadone.

By 2010, the drug’s manufacturer, Indivior, had become aware of the dangers Suboxone poses to a user’s oral health but didn’t add an adequate warning to the product’s medication guide until 2022 when the FDA mandated this.

Consequently, many Suboxone users have started to suffer from serious dental problems and are now taking legal action against Invidior. Numerous scientific studies into the drug’s side effects have also added significant credibility to these lawsuits.

If you or a loved one ever used Suboxone film strips and experienced any dental trauma as a result, please keep reading this article because we’ll be delving deep into the background and the current status of the Suboxone case. 

We’ll look at the science, the law, and the personal stories that drive this constantly evolving lawsuit. And finally, we’ll offer valuable insights into how you can establish your eligibility for a claim and how to choose a lawyer to help you file it.

Tosi Law is dedicated to providing quality information on the Suboxone lawsuit. We’re also deeply committed to helping victims of Invidior’s corporate negligence get the justice and compensation they deserve.

Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit: Find Out if You Qualify For Compensation

If you’ve experienced dental health problems after using Suboxone, it’s likely that you might qualify for compensation. Invidior has already paid out significant amounts in settlements, indicating the pharmaceutical company’s willingness to compensate victims and avoid litigation.

Eligibility for compensation depends on factors like the duration of Suboxone use, the extent of your dental problems, and state-specific laws governing deadlines. 

Get in touch with us today. Our dedicated, in-house case counselors are ready to take your call, answer any questions, and advise on your claim’s legal feasibility.

Article Summary: What You Need to Know

• Suboxone is a leading drug in the treatment of opioid addiction. The tablet form was released in 2002 and the film version in 2013.
• Due to the drug’s high levels of acidity, it can cause considerable damage to the user’s teeth and gums.
• Suboxone’s manufacturer, Indivior, made no attempt to warn users and medical caregivers of these risks.
• After investigating hundreds of patient reports, the FDA finally mandated Indivior to include a warning on Suboxone’s packaging.
• Subsequently, dozens of Suboxone users are filing lawsuits against Indivior for failing to warn them about the drug’s risks.
• Tosi Law is actively participating in this case. Get in touch with us if you have suffered dental damage as a result of Suboxone use.

Latest Suboxone Lawsuit Updates

March 7, 2024: The Suboxone multidistrict litigation (MDL) gets underway at the Carl B. Stokes Courthouse in Cleveland, Ohio. Legal counsel for Indivior request time to investigate whether plaintiffs’ dental troubles were a result of their product or if there were other factors at play.

February 29, 2024: By the end of February, 51 cases against Indivior had been filed by individuals claiming severe dental damage as a result of Suboxone use. This number is expected to rise dramatically as more victims come forward.

February 4, 2024: The United States Federal Court decides that the Suboxone case will be a Multidistrict Litigation (MDL). Each lawsuit against Indivior will remain an independent case, but certain early-stage proceedings, like discovery and motion hearings, will be consolidated into one court. This simplifies the lawsuits considerably while also avoiding potential conflicting pretrial rulings.

November 27, 2023: Indivior legal counsel requests the creation of a multidistrict litigation. This is by no means an admission of guilt but rather an approach to speed up what could become a very complicated and costly collection of lawsuits.

December 13, 2022: JAMA Network publishes a research paper titled: The Association Between Sublingual Buprenorphine-Naloxone Exposure and Dental Disease. Their findings establish an unequivocal relationship between Suboxone use and dental damage.

January, 2022 onwards: Suboxone users suffering dental damage begin filing claims against Indivior. The company’s acknowledgment – via the warning mentioned below – that their product causes oral health problems establishes a legal foundation for these lawsuits.

January 12, 2022: Indivior finally includes a warning about the risk of dental damage in Suboxone’s packaging. Their decision is forced by the FDA after the federal agency identified 305 unique cases of dental damage among the drug’s users – 131 of which were classified as “serious”.

Table of Contents

A Closer Look at Suboxone

What is Suboxone?

Suboxone is the brand name for buprenorphine/naloxone – a prescription medication developed by Indivior – that’s been widely adopted as a sustainable approach to treating opioid use disorder (OUD).

OUD is the medical term for the various symptoms of withdrawal suffered by people who have developed a dependence on narcotics like heroin or prescription medication like Oxycontin. 

The condition has severe, often fatal, health implications while also having a tremendously negative socioeconomic impact on the US and the world at large.

The combination of buprenorphine and naloxone offers a safer alternative to treatments like methadone because it is less addictive, has a considerably lower risk of inducing an overdose, and can be self-administered by the patient.

More on Buprenorphine and Naloxone

Buprenorphine acts as an opioid agonist, meaning that it stimulates the same brain receptors as an opioid narcotic but does so with less intensity. This reduces cravings and withdrawal without providing the euphoric feelings that cause addiction. 

Buprenorphine has the additional benefit of significantly decreasing the risk of life-threatening respiratory depression that often results from an opioid overdose.

Naloxone, Suboxone’s other primary ingredient, acts as an opioid antagonist. The substance remains dormant in the patient’s brain where it blocks the dependence-inducing effects at a receptor level.

Essentially, Naloxone prevents the patient from achieving a “high” from Suboxone and ensures that it can only be used as a treatment for addiction rather than another avenue toward it.

The combination of these two complementary substances makes Suboxone an incredibly effective component of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), the medical community’s conventional approach to treating substance abuse.

Despite Naloxone’s effectiveness as an opioid antagonist, Suboxone users still face a risk of developing dependency on the drug. Because of its limited potential for misuse, Suboxone is a Schedule III controlled substance in the US. 

Suboxone’s Widespread Use

The FDA only started sanctioning Buprenorphine-based OUD treatment in 2002 when Suboxone entered the market. Until then, the opioid agonist’s use in the fight against addiction was off-label and not particularly common.

Data collected between 2003 and 2015 reveals the remarkable uptake in Buprenorphine at opioid treatment programs (OTPs) once Suboxone received the FDA’s stamp of approval.

In 2003, only 11% of these treatment facilities offered Buprenorphine-based treatment. 12 years later, this figure would rise to 58%. 

The number of OTP patients receiving Buprenorphine treatment rose from 727 in 2004 to 21,236 in 2015. During the same period, patients receiving Buprenorphine treatment at non-OTP facilities rose from 1,670 to a staggering 54,488.

Many addiction treatment specialists believe that the primary reason for Suboxone’s popularity, aside from its effectiveness, was how it circumvents certain logistical challenges. Patients could administer the drug themselves at their homes, while pre-Suboxone MAT required them to make daily trips to a treatment center.

Suboxone Film vs Tablets

Suboxone comes in two forms: tablet and film strips. Both forms are administered by having the patient dissolve the drug in their mouth – either under the tongue or inside the cheek.

When Suboxone was first introduced in 2002, it was only available in tablet form. It was only in 2013 that the film strip was released and approved by the FDA.

Indivior’s goal with the film version of their drug was to limit the potential for misuse and make administration more convenient and discreet. Each film strip is individually packaged which also significantly reduces dosing mistakes.

However, suboxone film has a very high acidity and also reduces saliva in the user’s mouth. This creates an environment that is extremely detrimental to dental health. 

The release of the film strip form also landed Indivior in a considerable amount of legal trouble. Courts found that Indivior deliberately timed the introduction of the release in such a way as to block the entry of generic competitors into the Buprenorphine market, thereby maintaining its monopoly and high price points on Suboxone treatments.

These antitrust suits ultimately cost the Suboxone manufacturer $385 million in settlements.

There is also speculation that Indivior’s haste to get the film version of their drug to market to avoid competition is one of the reasons why it was inadequately tested and why it poses greater risk to users’ dental health than the tablet form.

Dental Damage Caused By Suboxone Film

Due to its extremely high level of acidity and the method and frequency of its use, Suboxone is known to cause the following dental problems:

Tooth Decay and Cavities: One of the most frequently reported problems with Suboxone film is an increase in both tooth decay and cavities. The film’s highly acidic nature can adversely affect tooth enamel, softening it and making teeth more susceptible to decay. This typically occurs along the patient’s gum line where the Suboxone film typically dissolves as per usage instructions.

Gum Disease: A considerable number of Suboxone users have reported a deterioration in the health of their gums. Symptoms include irritation, swelling, bleeding, and receding gums. If these symptoms are allowed to persist, they can lead to periodontitis. This is a serious condition that causes severe damage to the underlying bone structure that supports the teeth.

Dry Mouth (Xerostomia): Suboxone Film is known to significantly affect the mouth’s ability to produce saliva, resulting in an environment ripe for the development of harmful oral bacteria.

Tooth Erosion: Suboxone Film’s acidity plays a crucial role in weakening the enamel that coats teeth and protects them from erosion, infection, and infections. Enamel plays a crucial part in oral health and if it is compromised, a patient’s dental structure can be severely, and permanently, damaged.

Oral Infections: Painful sores and abscesses are common in highly acidic, dry oral environments. Abscesses are extremely painful infections that typically develop around the root of a tooth or in the space between the teeth and gums. If untreated, dental abscesses can also spread to other areas of the patient’s mouth.

Evidence Linking Suboxone With Dental Damage

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The FDA’s first official report on Suboxone’s links with tooth decay was published in 2022. The federal agency established, via the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), that numerous Suboxone users were reporting dental issues and launched an investigation.

By following up on these patient reports, as well as referencing existing medical studies (Suzuki, Mittal, Sook-Bin and Suzuki, Park) the FDA found 305 verified cases (131 of these were classified as “serious”) where the drug was the cause of considerable dental decay among its users. 

Further specifics of the FDA’s findings included:

• 26 of the cases involved users with no history of dental problems.
• 28 of the cases involved users who were using the drug to treat pain, not OUD.
• The average age of these patients was 42, but some were as young as 18.
• In some cases, dental problems started manifesting 2 weeks after treatment started.
• 71 of these cases required tooth extraction as the treatment.

These findings resulted in the publication of an official health warning on the agency’s website as well as a mandated warning in the drug’s packaging.

JAMA Network 

Arguably the most incriminating independent medical report was published by the JAMA Network in 2022. 

Association Between Sublingual Buprenorphine-Naloxone Exposure and Dental Disease was conducted by Etminan, Rezaeianzadeh, Kezouh, et al, and found irrefutable evidence linking the drug to dental deterioration.

In the study, the dental health of sublingual Buprenorphine-Naloxone users was compared to that of oral and transdermal users. Data revealed a considerably higher incidence of dental decay in the sublingual users.

More About Indivior and Its Existing Legal Troubles

Indivior was originally a subsidiary of Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals, itself a division of the British multinational Reckitt Benckiser Group – a conglomerate operating in the consumer hygiene and health sector.

In 2014, the Group decided to extract Indivior from Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals and establish it as an independent company. This strategy enabled Indivior to focus its resources on the OUD market and establish itself as the global leader in this space.

As a standalone entity, and through the massive success of Suboxone, Indivior has entrenched itself as one of the leaders in combating opioid addiction. 

Antitrust Lawsuits

Antitrust laws ensure that companies with a significant edge over their competitors don’t use this to monopolize a specific market. These laws are designed to promote competition and ensure that consumer prices aren’t determined by a single company.

In the pharmaceutical sector, a particularly controversial practice is a strategy called “product hopping” where a manufacturer modifies a drug with the sole intention of extending its ownership of the patent. Doing so prevents “generic” competitors from entering the market with a more affordable version of the drug.

Following Indivior’s 2014 release of Suboxone’s film version, antitrust lawsuits accusing Indivior of product-hopping began to mount.

By 2018, these lawsuits started going to trial and as incriminating evidence surrounding the company’s sales and marketing strategies for the film product came to light, Indivior’s defense became untenable and the company opted to settle these cases for a total of $385 million.

Deceptive Marketing Tactics and Subsequent Legal Issues

Before the dental decay controversy gained visibility, Indivior was already involved in several lawsuits relating to misleading marketing tactics. The company faced numerous allegations of misrepresenting Suboxone, with many of these claims resulting in litigation, settlements, and fines.

False Statements about Suboxone’s Safety (2020): Following a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into the US opioid crisis – and the role pharmaceutical companies played in it – Indivior admitted to making dishonest claims regarding the safety of Suboxone. The company pleaded guilty to felony charges and was ordered to pay a fine of $600 million.

Misleading Marketing and Civil Penalties (2010-2015): Following the launch of Suboxone Film, Indivior manufactured false information meant to mislead doctors and Medicaid agencies about the product’s effectiveness. The result was a civil settlement of $300 million.

Fraud and Misrepresentation (2019): A federal indictment brought by the DOJ charged Indivior with inflating the benefits and safety of Suboxone Film. The government alleges that these tactics were designed to boost sales while also delaying generic competition. In November 2020, Indivior was ordered to pay $289 million in penalties and the company’s former CEO, Shaun Thaxter, received a 6-month prison sentence.

“Here to Help” Scheme (2019): Indivior’s fraudulent marketing tactics mentioned above included a scheme that was allegedly designed to connect potential Suboxone customers with physicians known for irresponsibly prescribing opioids and OUD treatment medicines like Suboxone. A subsequent grand jury indictment charged Indivior with conspiracy to commit wire, mail, and health care fraud.

Suboxone Lawsuit Case Details and Background

Is the Suboxone Lawsuit Currently Active?

Yes, the Suboxone legal battle only recently kicked off with the Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) proceedings in Ohio. The MDL’s purpose is to streamline pretrial proceedings for the numerous cases brought against Indivior over their failure to warn Suboxone users of the product’s risks to their dental health. 

Considering the complexity of this MDL, legal experts do not expect that litigations or settlements will be finalized soon. Typically with an MDL (especially if there are several individual cases involved) fact-finding, discovery, pretrial motions, and potential settlement discussions, can span several years.

The Grounds for Legal Action Against Indivior

Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits primarily revolve around claims that Indivior failed to adequately warn users and doctors of the serious dental problems associated with the use of Suboxone, specifically the sublingual film.

Lawsuits claim that if the product was accompanied by proper warnings over dental damage, victims could have taken precautions to alleviate or prevent the severe problems they experienced after using the drug as prescribed.

Laws governing pharmaceutical liability state that manufacturers are responsible for adequately testing their products and warning both users and healthcare providers of any potential risks associated with the drug.

The legal feasibility of these lawsuits was given a significant boost in 2022 when the FDA mandated Indivior to add these warnings to the product. While this does not constitute an admission of guilt, it does provide plaintiffs and their legal teams with grounds to claim that Indivior either knew of Suboxone’s dangers and opted not to include warning, or did not test the product adequately. 

Statute of Limitations in the Suboxone Lawsuit

US states have different time limits for when a product liability claim can be filed. The range is typically 1 – 6 years after the injury occurs or, in some cases, when the injury is discovered (or should reasonably have been discovered).

Below is a list of each US state along with its product liability statute of limitations time frame.

Alabama	2 years after discovery	Alaska	2 years after discovery
Arizona	2 years after discovery	Arkansas	3 years after discovery
California	2 years after discovery	Colorado	2 years after discovery
Connecticut	3 years after discovery	Delaware	2 years after discovery
District of Columbia	3 years after discovery	Florida	4 years after discovery
Georgia	2 years after discovery	Hawaii	2 years after discovery
Idaho	2 years from date of injury	Illinois	2 years from date of injury
Indiana	2 years from date of injury	Iowa	2 years from date of injury
Kansas	2 years from date of injury	Kentucky	1 year from date of injury
Louisiana	1 year from date of injury	Maine	6 years from date of injury
Maryland	3 years after discovery	Massachusetts	3 years after discovery
Michigan	2 years from date of injury	Minnesota	4 years from date of injury
Mississippi	2 years after discovery	Missouri	5 years after discovery
Montana	3 years after discovery	Nebraska	4 years after discovery
Nevada	2 years after discovery	New Hampshire	3 years after discovery
New Jersey	2 years after discovery	New Mexico	3 years after discovery
New York	3 years after discovery	North Carolina	6 years after discovery
North Dakota	6 years after discovery	Ohio	2 years after discovery
Oklahoma	2 years after discovery	Oregon	2 years after discovery
Pennsylvania	2 years after discovery	Rhode Island	3 years after discovery
South Carolina	3 years after discovery	South Dakota	3 years after discovery
Tennessee	1 year after discovery	Texas	2 years from date of injury
Utah	2 years after discovery	Vermont	2 years after discovery
Virginia	2 years from date of injury	Washington	3 years after discovery
West Virginia	2 years after discovery	Wisconsin	3 years after discovery
Wyoming	4 years after discovery

A potential case’s statute of limitations also factors in the 2022 FDA-mandated warning that Indivior included in the Suboxone packaging. This means that injuries caused by Suboxone after the warning might not be eligible for a claim.

Given the statute of limitations’ narrow margins, as well as the complexity of other factors, it’s generally a good idea to get in touch with a lawyer as soon as you become aware of Suboxone’s role in any dental problems you might be experiencing.

If you suspect that you might have a case against Indivior, get in touch with Tosi Law today. We have a dedicated team of case counselors ready to advise on the statute of limitations, your case’s eligibility, and other questions you might have.

Suboxone Lawsuit Compensation and Payouts

How Will Suboxone Compensation be Calculated?

Dental injuries suffered as a result of Suboxone use will be calculated based on three separate areas of damage.

Economic Damage

These refer to the tangible losses that the plaintiff suffers. Most commonly, these include medical costs, lost wages, and other expenses that can be attributed to the dental damage caused by Suboxone. The purpose of this area of compensation is to reimburse the victim for financial losses they incurred.

Non-Economic Damage

These damages refer to emotional or psychological suffering that the plaintiff experienced as a result of Indivior’s alleged negligence. While it’s not always simple to quantify the financial value of these damages, the amounts are typically proportional to the severity of the injuries and their impact on the person’s life.

Punitive Damage

Punitive damages are unrelated to financial losses or suffering experienced by the plaintiff. They are awarded to punish the defendant for conduct that is considered particularly harmful and deter other manufacturers from similar behavior.

How Many Suboxone Claims Have Been Settled?

So far, none of the Suboxone lawsuits have gone to trial yet. Nor have any of them even reached a point where potential settlements can be discussed. Given the complexity of the case and how early we are in the MDL process, it could be a few years before the first settlement will only be paid out.

What Size Payouts Are Expected for Suboxone Claims?

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Filing a Suboxone Claim

Are You Eligible for a Suboxone Claim?

A Suboxone tooth decay case’s eligibility comes down to a few important factors:

Dental damage following Suboxone film use: The most important factor determining the eligibility of a Suboxone lawsuit is evidence showing that you suffered dental damage following Suboxone use. Damage typically includes tooth decay and cavities, gum disease, tooth erosion, and oral infections.

Suboxone use before 2022: Since the manufacturer started to include a warning on the Suboxone packaging in January 2022, the “failure to warn” principle no longer applies. Your case’s eligibility will be considerably better if you can prove that you used Suboxone prior to this date.

Statute of limitations:  The state in which you reside has a specific law that governs how long you have to file a product liability claim. Typically, this is a number of years after discovering the injury. For your case to be eligible, you should be able to prove that you found out about your dental troubles within this timeframe.

In a case like this, where complex legal factors are at play, determining eligibility isn’t always as obvious as it may seem. If you were a Suboxone user and you experienced any dental troubles, it is crucial to discuss your case with an expert in product liability law rather than draw your own conclusions about its eligibility.

Tosi Law has a team of dedicated in-house case counselors ready to talk to you about your experience with Suboxone. We are experts in product liability law and will be able to give you very clear feedback on the eligibility of your case against Indivior. 

Discuss your case with us today. Having a conversation with our case counselors places no obligation on you to become a client. We’re here to listen and help.

What Evidence Will Be Necessary to Win a Suboxone Claim?

Since the Suboxone tooth decay lawsuits are still in an MDL pre-trial phase, it’s not possible to be 100% accurate on this topic yet. However, given what is known about the case and similar product liability lawsuits, the following is a good guideline for what will constitute sufficient evidence in a tooth decay lawsuit against Indivior.

Suboxone usage before 2022: You should be able to prove that you were prescribed (and used) Suboxone sublingual film, prior to the FDA-mandated warning that was placed on the Suboxone packaging in January 2022.

Duration of Use: Ideally you should be able to prove that you used Suboxone for a period that was long enough to compromise your dental health. Although, at this stage, it’s not possible to predict what the minimum length of time would be.

Injuries: It will be necessary to provide medical proof that you suffered dental issues like cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, and oral infections. Ideally, you should also be able to provide evidence that you received medical treatment like extractions, crowns, or root canals for these injuries.

Dental Health Before Suboxone Use: You might need to prove that your dental issues manifested after using Suboxone. This would be dependent on providing a history of your long-term oral health.

Do I Need a Lawyer to Help Me File a Suboxone Claim?

The short answer is yes. While it is technically possible to file a Suboxone tooth decay claim without legal assistance, it would be virtually impossible to do so successfully without legal representation.

Navigating the complex world of product liability law, gathering the necessary evidence, and building a compelling case are all areas where an experienced lawyer with insight into this specific case will be able to provide invaluable guidance. 

A law firm experienced in pharmaceutical litigation will also understand the complexities and nuances of negotiating a settlement figure, should the claim come to that.

Product liability claims are also subject to state-specific statute of limitations laws. These provide specific timeframes for filing a claim against the manufacturer. Misunderstanding these laws or taking too long to file could invalidate the entire claim, meaning that it’s vital to contact an experienced firm like Tosi Law as soon as you suspect that you might have a case against Indivior.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Lawyer for a Suboxone Claim?

Law firms, like Tosi Law, that specialize in cases like the Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit typically operate on a “contingency fee” basis. This means that we cover all the upfront costs involved in preparing, filing, litigating, and resolving the case. 

These costs are considerable since many legal experts will need to dedicate their time to complex tasks like sourcing expert testimonies, analyzing medical records, researching the relevant areas of the legal landscape, and assessing the particularities of your personal experience with Suboxone.

We only get paid if and when the claim is successfully resolved. We recover our costs by retaining a percentage of the settlement amount or the court-awarded winnings, should the case go to trial.

As our client, you face no risk of paying any fees if your case is unsuccessful. Nor will we ever ask for any upfront payment while working on your case.

If you have any questions about our fee structure, please get in touch with a Tosi Law case counselor right away.

How to Choose the Right Lawyer for Your Case Against Suboxone

The Law Firm you select to help you file your claim against Indivior is the most important decision you face at this stage of your legal journey. Choosing a firm that is reputable, experienced, and has detailed insight into the Suboxone tooth decay case is critical.

It’s also important to select a legal representative with a culture that resonates with your own needs and values. Since cases like these can take years to resolve, and because of the intimate nature of the case, you’re likely to form a close relationship with your legal team. Bear this in mind as you assess your options.

Here are some of the criteria that we recommend you take into consideration as you consider your options.

• Experience with the Suboxone Case: Product liability cases are often very unique. The way various drugs and devices are designed and marketed, and the way they harm their uses, can vary massively. Add to that the complexity of the legal landscape surrounding that specific case and you get a hyper-niche area of expertise. It’s important that you choose a law firm that can illustrate its experience with this specific case.
  
• Communication and Client Care: Choosing a law firm that doesn’t prioritize communicating with its clients can be immensely frustrating. As we mentioned earlier, you’re embarking on a journey that can sometimes be very challenging and confusing. That’s why it’s important to choose a legal team that has a culture of proactive and transparent communication.
  
• The Availability of Their Resources: Properly building, investigating, litigating, and negotiating a case takes an immense amount of time. Any law firm that you consider must be able to show that they have the resources and capacity to perform these tasks in a timely way. Feel free to ask the prospective firm about this aspect of their operations. A reputable, reliable firm will be more than comfortable to have this conversation with you.

If you’d like further information, or if you’d like to talk with Tosi Law about our approach to these topics, get in touch with us right away. We have a dedicated team of in-house case counselors ready to help.

Dental Care For Suboxone Users – How to Limit the Damage

Regulate Your Mouth’s pH Levels

Suboxone film strips are known to create highly acidic oral environments. After using the film strip – once it has fully dissolved – it’s important to rinse your mouth thoroughly with water to neutralize the acid and remove any of the drug’s residue that can lead to tooth decay. 

While brushing your teeth is necessary to further normalize your mouth’s pH level, doing so directly after the film strip has dissolved can cause dental erosion. This is because the enamel covering your teeth is more prone to damage immediately after exposure to acid. That’s why it’s extremely important to wait at least one hour before brushing your teeth. This is a sufficient amount of time for your mouth to naturally neutralize the acidic conditions caused by Suboxone. It’s generally a good idea to use toothpaste that has a high fluoride content since this can further strengthen your teeth.

Visit a Dentist Frequently

Regular dental check-ups are essential for everyone, but they are especially important for Suboxone users. Make an appointment every six months, or more frequently if recommended by your dentist. When you visit, inform your dentist that you are taking Suboxone. This is important because it gives your dentist a complete picture of your health and can influence the type of dental treatments you receive. Additionally, your dentist can provide specific advice and treatments to combat any dental health problems associated with Suboxone use.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

Standard oral health practices become doubly important when using Suboxone. Brush your teeth at least twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and high-quality toothpaste. Brush for at least two minutes and ensure that you reach all the areas in your mouth. 

Daily flossing is also very important. This removes plaque and food residue from between your teeth and under your mouth’s gum line – areas that a toothbrush typically can’t reach. 

Also make use of antibacterial, alcohol-free mouthwash to kill any remaining bacteria. This routine significantly reduces the amount of damage that a drug like Suboxone can do to your teeth and gums.

Make Lifestyle Adjustments 

Suboxone users typically need to make a few lifestyle adjustments if they want to minimize the chances of the drug compromising their oral health. 

Quitting (or cutting down on) smoking is one of the most important steps you can take toward improving your dental health. Smoking is known to interfere with your gums’ natural ability to heal its own tissue and can lead to an increase in infections and abscesses. 

It’s also a good idea to cut back on your consumption of sugary foods and drinks since sugar is a major contributor to tooth decay. Also, try to reduce snacking between meals. Constant eating increases the amount of time your teeth are exposed to acids and can exacerbate the dangerous oral environment caused by Suboxone.

Eating a balanced diet also helps maintain strong teeth and healthy gums. Get some advice from a nutritionist or do some of your own research on how to improve your diet. 

Drink plenty of water to combat dry-mouth syndrome that Suboxone often causes. Saliva is your mouth’s best defense against abnormal pH levels so ensuring that you stay hydrated is critical if you want to ensure your ongoing dental health.

Speak to Tosi Law About Your Suboxone Case

At Tosi Law, our main objective is to win lawsuits and obtain favorable settlements for our clients. We also believe that this goal should be achieved while building lasting, positive relationships with the people we help in their pursuit of justice.

We allocate a considerable amount of attention to each of the cases that come our way and prioritize each of these very highly. We aim to never make our clients feel like they’re simply a number in our books or an opportunity to get some exposure in the media.

We understand that a Suboxone victim’s legal journey can be a challenging one. We understand that your experience with the drug might be a difficult story to tell. That’s why the first person you’ll make contact with at Tosi Law is a dedicated, in-house case counselor who is extremely knowledgeable about the particulars of this case in addition to being an expert at making people feel comfortable with opening up about their experience. 

We don’t use call centers and we don’t make sales pitches. We want to hear your story and give you expert legal advice, while also treating your case with the professionalism and sensitivity it deserves.

Read more about us by clicking here. Or get in touch with us now if you have any immediate questions.

Call Tosi Law if You Have Questions

If you or a loved one has developed multiple myeloma or any other type of cancer after being exposed to Roundup, you could be entitled to compensation. Please call Tosi Law LLP at 888-311-8292 for more information. Our defective product lawyers are ready to help you file a Roundup lawsuit.

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FAQs

Is there a lawsuit against Suboxone for tooth decay?

Yes, there are several lawsuits filed against Indivior, the Suboxone manufacturer. These suits claim the company failed to provide adequate warnings of the serious dangers that the drug poses to users’ dental health. 

Does Suboxone damage teeth?

Yes, hundreds of FDA-verified reports along with a few notable independent studies have proven a link between Suboxone use and serious dental damage like tooth decay, cavities, gum disease, and oral infections. In 2022, the FDA mandated the manufacturer to include a warning in the drug’s packaging to make users and health practitioners aware of these risks.

Is Suboxone still being used?

Yes, despite the dangers Suboxone poses to users’ oral health and some concerns over the drug’s long-term effectiveness, it is still commonly used as a medical treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). 

How can I protect my teeth from Suboxone?

To protect your teeth while taking Suboxone, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water after the film strip is dissolved, brush your teeth one hour afterward, practice good dental hygiene, and visit a dentist at least twice a year.

Why does buprenorphine cause tooth decay?

Buprenorphine, the main component of Suboxone, has a very high level of acidity. This means that, after being used, the pH levels in the patient’s mouth are conducive to tooth decay, gum damage, and painful infections.

Is it OK to brush your teeth after taking Suboxone?

Since Suboxone raises the levels of acidity in the user’s mouth, it’s generally not advised to brush directly after dissolving the film strip in your mouth. Rinse your mouth with water and brush thoroughly with a soft-bristled toothbrush one hour later.

How do I join a Suboxone lawsuit?

It is vital to first discuss your case’s eligibility with a reputable law firm with experience in product liability law. Once this has been established, a lawyer will advise on the process of filing a claim against Indivior for failing to warn you about the dangers Suboxone posed to your dental health.

When is the Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit deadline?

The statute of limitations for the Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit is dependent on the state in which you reside. Typically, plaintiffs have between 1 and 6 years from discovering their injury to file a product liability claim. If you suspect that you have a case against Indivior for dental damage suffered after using Suboxone, get in touch with Tosi Law today to discuss your claim’s eligibility.