Why Are My Teeth Breaking? The Hidden Link Between Suboxone Films and Dental Decay

For thousands of Americans, Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) is a lifesaver. It is the gold standard for treating opioid dependence, allowing people to reclaim their lives, hold down jobs, and rebuild families.

But for many, this recovery has come at a devastating cost: the total destruction of their dental health.

If you have found yourself spitting out pieces of your teeth while eating soft foods, or if your dentist is shocked by how fast your enamel is eroding despite your best efforts to brush and floss, you are not imagining things.

And—most importantly—it is not your fault.

The Science: An “Acid Bath” for Your Teeth

Many patients are told by their doctors that their dental issues are just a result of past drug use or “dry mouth.” However, the lawsuits against the makers of Suboxone allege a direct chemical cause: extreme acidity.

Suboxone sublingual films are designed to dissolve under the tongue. To maximize absorption, the film is highly acidic.

• The pH Problem: Healthy saliva has a pH of roughly 6.5 to 7.5. Suboxone films have a pH of approximately 3.4.
• The Exposure: Because the film takes 5 to 10 minutes to dissolve—and the residue lingers—your teeth are essentially soaking in a corrosive acid bath daily.

Over months and years, this chronic acid exposure strips away the enamel (the hard outer layer of the tooth), leaving the tooth soft, vulnerable, and prone to shattering.

The “Good Hygiene” Paradox

The most frustrating part for our clients is that this happens even to people with excellent oral hygiene. You can brush twice a day, floss, and see your dentist, but toothpaste cannot neutralize the damage caused by a daily acidic erosion that occurs right at the gum line.

This is a specific type of decay that often requires:

• Extracting teeth that snap off at the gum.
• Expensive crowns or bridges.
• Full dentures at a young age.

The “Failure to Warn”: Why Is This a Lawsuit?

If Suboxone is acidic, shouldn’t the manufacturer have told you?

While the manufacturer finally added dental warnings to the Suboxone label in June 2018, it took until 2022 for the FDA to issue a comprehensive safety alert. For those who used the film before these updates, the risk was never disclosed.

However, Suboxone films had been on the market for years prior to that. We allege that the manufacturer knew about the acidity risks but failed to warn doctors and patients until it was too late.

Do You Qualify for the Suboxone Lawsuit?

Because dental health is complex, the criteria for this lawsuit are very specific. At Nigh Goldenberg, we are reviewing cases that meet the following checklist:

1. Timeline of Use

• You must have used Name Brand Suboxone films (not just pills).
• You must have used them for at least 6 months.
• Critically, your usage must have started before June 2018. (If you only started using them after the warning label was added, you may not qualify).

2. The Injury

• You must have suffered severe dental injuries after 2010.
• We look for: 3 or more non-wisdom teeth that were broken, lost, extracted, or required major surgery.
  • Note: Minor cavities or fillings usually do not meet the threshold for this litigation.

3. Exclusions

To build a strong case proving the drug caused the damage, we unfortunately cannot accept cases involving:

• Current or heavy past use of methamphetamine or heroin. This is because defendants often argue that pre-existing dental erosion associated with these substances rather than Suboxone caused the damage.
• Individuals who were incarcerated during the relevant treatment period.

Take the Next Step

You shouldn’t have to trade your teeth for your sobriety. If you have faced thousands of dollars in dental bills or the embarrassment of a ruined smile, let us help you seek the compensation you need for restorative dental work.

FAQ: Suboxone Dental Claims

Can I still join the lawsuit if I am still taking Suboxone?

Yes. You do not need to stop your life-saving medication to file a lawsuit. However, you should speak to your doctor about ways to mitigate damage (like rinsing your mouth with water after the film dissolves, but waiting 1 hour to brush).

My dentist blamed my coffee drinking/smoking. Is that a problem?

Dentists often look for common causes first. However, the pattern of decay caused by Suboxone (often affecting multiple teeth simultaneously near the gum line) is distinct. We can work with experts to differentiate drug-induced erosion from lifestyle factors.

What can I get compensation for?

If successful, this lawsuit aims to recover costs for:

• Past and future dental surgeries (implants, dentures).
• Pain and suffering.
• Loss of quality of life.