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    #1

    Baclofen side effect - receding gums?

    I had a nurse friend tell me (and insist when I questioned her) that one side effect of Baclofen is that it causes a receding gum line. She seemed to think this was common knowledge and a classic side effect. I haven't heard this before, and I can't find any study backing it up or any other reference to it. I would assume she's mistaken since I can't find any other reference to it at all, but she's dealt with a lot of children using Baclofen from a young age on up and seems very familiar with it.

    Has anyone else heard of this happening?
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    #2
    Baclofen side effect - receding gums?

    Hi Kentucky

    I've felt at times like my gums are receding. It's something I could do without. I had gum disease 11 years ago, when I was pregnant with my youngest. I do believe it and expect your friend is right.

    Cheers
    Sticky

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      #3
      Baclofen side effect - receding gums?

      Hi,

      I've had the same feeling as Sticky. I go to the dentist in a week and I'll let you know.

      Comment

        #4
        Baclofen side effect - receding gums?

        Search Pubmed for baclofen and gingival recession (receding gums):
        http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=baclofen+gingival+recession )

        =
        (No items found - PubMed - NCBI)

        No mention of it in the world's most comphrensive database of medical journals.

        -tk
        TerryK celebrates 6 years of sobriety and indifference to alcohol thanks to baclofen

        Comment

          #5
          Baclofen side effect - receding gums?

          It doesn't really make sense on a couple of levels, Kentucky. (Not that I'm suggesting she's wrong, just that maybe things are a bit confused.)

          There aren't a whole lot of kids on baclofen, unless she's seeing a particularly specific population of kids: Namely those with spasticity issues, which would usually mean something wrong with nerves/spine/brain. Even if that's the case, it's unlikely that the baclofen is responsible for gum issues. Those are generally a result of things specifically to do with the mouth. (I'm no expert and I'm sure there are lots and lots of exceptions!)

          However, one real risk of drinking excessively is tooth decay and gum disease. As is malnutrition. As is sleeping with your mouth open. Or living with your mouth open. (As, I would assume, some children with spasticity issues do.)

          So I think it's much more likely, just from a rational standpoint, that the greater risks we face have to do with alcohol consumption, sleep apnea, malnutrition and poor dental hygiene. (For the last, I'll speak for myself so as not to offend anyone.) Oh, and smoking! That's has a huge impact on gum health.

          I've been on baclofen for two years and while I have receding gums, my dental hygienist was amazed at the improvement in my dental health since I gave up the sauce. And I also started brushing my teeth before I went to bed, which I very rarely did before I passed out.

          And like you and Terryk, I googled and couldn't find even one result.

          Comment

            #6
            Baclofen side effect - receding gums?

            I call shenanigans on that one.

            I go to the dentist 2x year. I never have any issues. Now I floss at least once a day and brush my teeth 2x day. Good hygiene goes a long ways.

            I am on HDB and I drank like a fish for years. Now I do think boozing it up can lead to lots of health issues. Especially since you tend not to take care of yourself as well.

            But baclofen and receding gums? Never heard of that one and I've seen (and had) a laundry list.

            Comment

              #7
              Baclofen side effect - receding gums?

              Hi Kentucky

              Yeah, I've noticed that my gums have been bleeding a couple of times when brushing my teeth. Also my front tooth which is capped is moving around more, you know, not as fixed as it was. Never thought until you posted that this could be Bac.

              Also noticed leg pain which wakes me up at night. I've just started weight training again but never experienced this in the past so was defo putting that one down to Bac. Hoping is goes away soon, it's like the blood isn't moving and I have a dead leg, if that makes sense.
              Honour Thyself

              Comment

                #8
                Baclofen side effect - receding gums?

                kentuckydrinker;1490947 wrote: ... she's dealt with a lot of children using Baclofen from a young age on up and seems very familiar with it.
                Baclofen is given to children with cerebral palsy. Children with cerebral palsy are less likely to have good dental hygiene because spasticity can prevent them from cleaning their teeth properly. Poor dental hygiene leads to gum disease. So yes, children who have been using baclofen for a long time are much more likely to have receding gums.
                "My fault, my failure, is not in the passions I have, but in my lack of control of them." Jack Kerouac

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                  #9
                  Baclofen side effect - receding gums?

                  Good points.

                  Due to the nature of her job / unit, she did regularly see a lot of kids fitting that description. As you and ifulovelife2 suggested, poor dental hygiene could be related to other CP / MS issues. She's not the type to spout BS, but she could certainly be wrong.

                  Sticky & Kronk - I'd love to hear what your doctor / dentist said.

                  I agree it's probably nothing. Like I said, I didn't find any research suggesting a link, but I wanted to run it by you guys.


                  Ne/Neva Eva;1491125 wrote: It doesn't really make sense on a couple of levels, Kentucky. (Not that I'm suggesting she's wrong, just that maybe things are a bit confused.)

                  There aren't a whole lot of kids on baclofen, unless she's seeing a particularly specific population of kids: Namely those with spasticity issues, which would usually mean something wrong with nerves/spine/brain. Even if that's the case, it's unlikely that the baclofen is responsible for gum issues. Those are generally a result of things specifically to do with the mouth. (I'm no expert and I'm sure there are lots and lots of exceptions!)

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Baclofen side effect - receding gums?

                    Hi,

                    I'm glad you pulled this thread up. I went to my dentist a few weeks ago and my gums are fine, so my post was wrong. Yay!

                    Comment

                      #11
                      Baclofen side effect - receding gums?

                      Hi guys

                      My new dentist thought my gum recession was normal for my age too, so sorry to scare anyone. Including myself!
                      I do have a recurrence of gum disease again, but not due to bac.

                      Cheers
                      Sticky

                      Comment

                        #12
                        Baclofen side effect - receding gums?

                        I just saw my dentist too. My receding gums are actually improving. Didn't think that was possible, and she seemed very surprised. Brushing and flossing, I guess. Who knew? That, and I don't coat my teeth in sugar (via wine) before I go to bed.

                        Comment

                          #13
                          Baclofen side effect - receding gums?

                          Sticky;1503615 wrote: Hi guys

                          My new dentist thought my gum recession was normal for my age too, so sorry to scare anyone. Including myself!
                          I do have a recurrence of gum disease again, but not due to bac.

                          Cheers
                          Sticky
                          Try the Oral B Pro 5000 series electric. Colgate Total is pretty good still too abrasive, but...
                          Get brush. I am too aggressive of a brusher so this helps you from doing that.

                          Comment

                            #14
                            Baclofen side effect - receding gums?

                            Was Just Hoping

                            When I first read this thread I was hoping that this was just a rare occurrence. However, about 4 mornings ago I woke with my upper right side gums feeling irritated. I have found myself brushing my teeth a lot more these days so I just initially wrote it off as maybe having over brushed or too hard. Well, I am no longer convinced brushing too aggressively is the case for me. I am going to have to see the dentist soon. Has anyone found out anything yet about this? I don't want to have to explain to my long time dentist friend about my baclofen journey.

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