Doxycycline‐induced staining of permanent adult dentition

Abstract

Background: Doxycycline is the most effective antibiotic for managing brucellosis. Although it is relatively free from side effects, complications involving the skin, nails and teeth may rarely be encountered. Methods: Four patients with brucellosis developed yellow-brown discolouration of teeth following a 30-45 day course of doxycycline therapy during summer at a dose of 200mg/day. Results: All four patients were diagnosed as having doxycycline-induced staining of the permanent dentition. In all cases, the staining completely resolved and the teeth recovered their original colour following abrasive dental cleaning. Conclusions: These observations indicate that the incidence of staining of the permanent dentition, as a complication of doxycycline, may be much higher than the literature indicates, especially if treatment is administered during summer months. Fortunately, this complication is reversible and does not require termination of doxycycline therapy. Complete resolution following abrasive cleaning may suggest that an extrinsic mechanism within the dental milieu may be involved in its pathogenesis. Strict avoidance of sunlight exposure during high-dose, long-term doxycycline therapy might prevent the development of this complication.

Percutaneous sclerotherapy in neonatal and infant head and neck lymphatic malformations: a single center experience

“…Reversible teeth staining has been reported in adult teeth after a 30-to 45-day course of doxycycline 200 mg/d [31]. Volvovitz et al performed a prospective cohort study of 61 patients, 30 of whom were treated with doxycycline as children and 31 of whom were not and noted that the doxycycline therapy in children aged 2 to 8 years was not associated with tooth staining [32].…”

Should Lyme Disease Affecting the Nervous System Be Treated With Oral or Intravenous Antibiotics?

“…Doxycycline is generally not recommended in children under the age of 12 as staining of the teeth is a side effect 6. However, recent research indicates that this side effect may not be as common as once thought and that avoiding sunlight may prevent its development 7 8…”

Adverse drug reactions in the oral cavity

“…Oxytetracycline causes the least amount of discolouration [10]. Although doxycycline has not been reported to cause intrinsic tooth discolouration, it has been associated with causing extrinsic tooth staining [11,12]. A report issued by the Council on Dental Therapeutics on ''The significance of dental changes induced by tetracyclines'' emphasizes the avoidance of using the drug from 29 weeks in utero until full term and also in breast feeding mothers to prevent dental complications.…”