Vermont_Lymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9780
posted
I recently started mino and learned that if you take 1-1.5g of Vitamin C throughout the day, you can avoid the potentially unattractive side-effect of your teeth turning grey!!
Of course, with me, you would not notice, because I took tetracycline as a kid before they knew you were not supposed to do that. So my teeth are already a lovely pale grey color. But I do not want them to turn black with lyme tx!
Since starting mino, I take one 500mg Vit C (ester-C) about three times/day.
J Esthet Dent. 1998;10(4):182-6
Title: Protection against minocycline pigment formation by ascorbic acid (vitamin C).Bowles WH.
Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M University System, Dallas, USA.
Minocycline, a member of the tetracycline family of antibiotics, is widely used in the treatment of acne. Its use has been associated with intrinsic staining of adult human teeth, bones, and soft tissues.
It causes blackening of the thyroid glands in both animals and humans.
It has been determined that the pigment is the product of an oxidation reaction.
Laboratory studies have shown that the pigment formation can be induced by exposure to ultraviolet light in the presence of air, and that an antioxidant, such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C), can block its formation.
The present study was undertaken to determine whether the antioxidant vitamin C could prevent the pigmentation of tissues of laboratory rats given minocycline.
Based on other studies, one group of rats was given minocycline by stomach tube at a dose of 75 mg/kg/day, 5 days per week, for 6 weeks.
A second experimental group was given the same regimen of minocycline plus a supplement of ascorbic acid at a level of 0.1% of the diet.
A control group received no treatment at all; all rats were maintained on laboratory rats chow and water ad libitum. The rats were euthanized by carbon dioxide inhalation.
Nasomaxillary bones, including central incisors, and thyroid glands were removed and fixed with 10% buffered formalin. Bones and teeth showed no gross signs of staining and, therefore, were not processed further.
Thyroid glands were visibly darker in the minocycline group; specimens from all three groups were processed histologically.
Microscopic examination revealed extensive deposits of black pigment throughout the follicles of the minocycline group,
**whereas the group receiving both minocycline and vitamin C showed no sign of pigmentation and were indistinguishable from controls.**
It is suggested that patients on long-term minocycline medication be monitored for thyroid function.
Posts: 2557 | From home | Registered: Aug 2006
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tailz
Unregistered
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I was on mino for acne in my 20's - no problems whatsoever.
But I started mino recently for this illness and my teeth are grey now and my tongue is black.
My doctor said if I had this reaction to mino, it will happen on any of the 'cyclines' - tet and doxy, too. I confirmed this with the pharmacist.
It was killing something - my shoulder blades swelled. I don't know what I'm supposed to take now.
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Vermont_Lymie
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Member # 9780
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Hi tailz: sorry to hear that your tongue got black -- mine did too after 3 weeks on doxy!
I tried gargling with a dilute hydrogen peroxide mouthwash; tried tea tree oil (YUCK!), and brushing it, and that seemed to help. At least, the black tongue went away!
Seems to be two types of black teeth - the outside stuff that can be sandblasted off by a dentist or abrasive toothpaste and electric toothbrush; and the inside-darkening that can be prevented by Vit. C.
Maybe you can take a lower dose of mino? Because it persists so long, even if you take a lower dose every other day or third day, it stays in your system. I have not had a repeat of the black tongue incident while on mino...
Take care.
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timaca
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6911
posted
I use Listerine Whitening Pre Brush rinse every other day or so. It works wonders....and I've used it with doxy and mino. My teeth are really white.
Timaca
Posts: 2872 | From above 7,000 ft in a pine forest | Registered: Feb 2005
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****Minocycline, a member of the tetracycline family of antibiotics, is widely used in the treatment of acne. Its use has been associated with intrinsic staining of adult human teeth, bones, and soft tissues.****
Does this mean "any" soft tissues, like the intestinal tract??
I've had two colonoscopies in the past two years and my dr has told me each time that it looked like I had been abusing laxatives. [the lining is dark instead of pink]
I told him no each time....not true. This last time he said, "Well then, don't worry about it."
Do you suppose taking abx long term has stained my tissues??
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Vermont_Lymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9780
posted
Thanks timaca, I am going to buy that Listerine stuff! Even on low-dose mino, my teeth have needed more sandblasting....
Hi Lymetoo,
Did you take mino long-term? It sounds like, from what (little) that I have read, that the research talks mainly about the teeth and thyroid as getting darkened while on mino, from an oxidation reaction.
I will bet that you have been taking antioxidants while on mino and abx, so that should help prevent any oxidation reaction, according to the abstract above.....It seems like something that xango would prevent.
Sorry that i do not know the answer to your question! It is worth asking your llmd. With all your good will and great help to folks on lymenet, you seem really healthy to me! Posts: 2557 | From home | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
I was trying to check on the ingredients of the Listerine Whitening Pre Brush and pulled up an amazon.com consumer review site. Some people had some real problems with the mouthwash. Peeling gums, loss of taste, etc.
The black goop accumulates so fast on my husband"s teeth I was hoping this would be good. I think we'll hold off.
Posts: 984 | From San Diego | Registered: Nov 2006
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