Oral Buprenorphine & Dental Health
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the use of medication, in addition to other treatment options, to assist in recovery from substance use disorders. Buprenorphine, and medications containing buprenorphine such as Suboxone, are approved for this use.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that there is a reported increased risk for dental related problems, such as cavities and tooth loss, associated with the use of buprenorphine containing medications that are dissolved in the mouth. Despite these risks, the FDA states that benefits of buprenorphine clearly outweigh the oral health related risks.
The way that Buprenorphine increases the risk for cavities is not definitively known. Possible causes may be buprenorphine’s acidity and how it affects saliva’s ability to protect the teeth.
The FDA has the following recommendations for patients taking buprenorphine containing medications that dissolve in the mouth:
Schedule a dental exam and inform your provider that you are taking oral buprenorphine
After taking the medication as directed, take a large sip of water, swish it around your teeth and gums, and swallow.
Wait at least 1 hour to brush your teeth
If you are currently taking oral buprenorphine or are beginning treatment, please inform your dental provider. Your dentist can talk with you about additional ways to protect your teeth including dental sealants and high fluoride toothpastes or mouth rinses.
To schedule a dental exam please contact the Skokomish Wellness Center at 360-426-5755.
Zheng Z, Chen J, Srinual S, Tumbas Šaponjac V, Yin T, Wang BY, Sun R, Hu M. Buprenorphine Salivary Gland Accumulation Sustaining High Oral Fluid Exposure and Increasing the Risk of Streptococcus mutans Biofilm Formation. J Addict Med. 2025 Sep-Oct 01;19(5):520-528. doi: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000001401. Epub 2024 Dec 2. PMID: 39621545; PMCID: PMC12127498.
