Teens & Prescription Opioid Use
Posted on July 16th, 2022
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 40 Americans die from prescription opioid overdoses every day. As the opioid crisis grows, so does our expanded public knowledge—such as the realization that addiction to this family of drugs often begins with an innocent prescription.
Many teens first experience opioids when a dentist prescribes them to control the pain of wisdom tooth extraction, root canal treatment, or other oral surgery. While legitimate, this initial exposure increases the likelihood of future opioid addiction by 33%. Teens are also prone to opioid abuse due to the fact that the prefrontal cortex region of the brain—the portion that manages reason and impulse control—is not fully developed until reaching the early- to mid-20s.
Michael Colleran DDS wants your child’s dental care to be effective, comfortable, and above all—safe. If you have any concerns about dental surgery and your teen or you’re just looking for a kind, knowledgeable dentist, contact Michael Colleran DDS to make an appointment today. We’ll answer all your questions and put your mind at ease!
The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
About Dr. Colleran
Dr. Colleran is a nationally renowned dental author and lecturer and an expert on laser dentistry. He has spoken across the country on laser dentistry and had articles appear in several professional journals. He is also sought after by dental manufacturers as a consultant for product evaluation and research. Dr. Colleran is an instructor for the Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry, which teaches LANAP and other laser dental procedures to dentists from across the globe.
