Methamphetamine abuse can affect oral hygiene, causing decay and gum disease. This condition is often referred to as “Meth mouth.”
- The severe tooth decay and gum disease caused by meth abuse can often lead to teeth falling out or breaking off and almost always bad breath
- This extensive tooth decay is likely caused by a combination of factors such as lack of concern over hygiene due to being high, poor nutrition, clenched jaws, grinding teeth, indulging in other activities that are bad for dental hygiene
- Over time meth abuse can cause strokes, high blood pressure, anxiety, erratic and violent behavior, paranoia, and hallucinations
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What is meth mouth?
Methamphetamine, or meth, is a highly addictive stimulant that can have severe negative impacts on a person's life and health. Long-term meth abuse and addiction can lead to various life-threatening health conditions, including seizures, stroke, and permanent brain damage. It can also have devastating effects on dental health, causing decay, gum disease, periodontal disease, halitosis, and other types of oral disease, according to a study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and published in the Journal of the American Dental Association.
The severe tooth decay and gum disease caused by meth abuse can often lead to teeth falling out or breaking off, and almost always bad breath. An examination of over 550 meth abusers found that:
- 96% had cavities.
- 58% had untreated tooth decay.
- 31% had six or more missing teeth.
What are the symptoms of meth mouth?
Symptoms of meth mouth often include teeth being blackened, stained, rotting, crumbling, and falling apart. In most instances, the affected teeth cannot be salvaged and will result in tooth extractions. This extensive tooth decay is likely caused by a combination of factors, such as lack of concern over hygiene due to being high, poor nutrition, clenched jaws, grinding teeth, indulging in other activities that are bad for dental hygiene (smoking cigarettes, sugary beverages, etc.), and other physiological and psychological changes caused by abuse.
Related blog: Can Damaged Skin Heal After Meth Addiction?
In addition to this, methamphetamine is also acidic, meaning those who smoke the substance will directly erode their teeth. The above study also showed that the longer someone abused meth, the more likely they were to develop gum disease and tooth decay. For instance, people over 30 years or older who had been using meth for a long time would have more oral issues than someone of the same age who hadn’t, as was the case with smokers.
Meth mouth is a strong indicator that a person has a meth use disorder. Read here to learn more about the symptoms and signs of meth abuse.
Long term effects of meth use
While the visible side effects of meth abuse are unpleasant, the long-term consequences to health are dangerous, and meth addiction can ruin lives. Over time, meth abuse can cause strokes, high blood pressure, anxiety, erratic and violent behavior, paranoia, and hallucinations. If you or someone you know is suffering from a meth use disorder or addiction, contact a treatment provider today to see what help is available.
Treatment for meth mouth
Despite the prevalence of oral hygiene issues amongst meth users, case studies of the treatment of meth mouth are rare. However, one case report demonstrates the potential treatment options and outcomes for severe tooth decay due to meth use.[2]
Dental reconstruction of methamphetamine induced caries
Below are the teeth of a 40-year-old male with a history of methamphetamine use, as well as poor dental hygiene practices. The result was extensive caries (cavities) as well as tooth erosion and gum damage.[2]
Patient with extensive tooth decay from meth use.
The patient had reported that he had abused Yaba (methamphetamine tablets) via inhalation every 2 to 3 days over 4 years. During this time, they had also consumed an average of 1.5 litres of carbonated beverages per day (to relieve dryness and the bitter taste left from meth use). They were also smoking 6 packs of cigarettes per day during the period of use and reported poor to no oral hygiene routine.[2]
Procedure
The dental procedure was performed over several sessions (owing to the patient's anxiety and need for regular breaks) with recall visits over the following year.
Panoramic radiograph of the postoperative root canal in the patient.
The treatment procedure included multiple stages of dental work, including:[2]
- Periodontal therapy.
- Composite restoration.
- Endodontic treatment and postcores.
- Porcelain crowns.
- Multiple tooth extraction.
- Root canal treatment.
- Overdentures.
- A home care regimen including brushing with fluoridated toothpaste three times.
Despite persistent caries and lost fillings over the 12 months following treatment, the patient’s oral hygiene greatly improved, and the overdentures were reported to be functional and aesthetically pleasing.[2]
Addiction treatment
While the dental treatment was a success and the patient improved their oral hygiene per the treatment program, it is noted in the report that this outcome would have been unlikely had the patient not stopped using meth.[3]
Overdentures after successful dental treatment in patient with tooth decay caused by meth use.
Performing dental care on patients with active methamphetamine use disorders can prove to be difficult owing to financial difficulties, non-attendance of appointments, and continued poor oral hygiene. Dental procedures for active meth users tend to be less elaborate than those for recovering addicts, with tooth extraction and frames being proposed over the more comprehensive crowns and bridges.[3][4]
Discussing meth mouth with your dentist
To ensure that the correct treatment steps are taken during dental care, it is important to be honest with a dentist about any history of meth use, even if you are in recovery. Owing to the extensive and invasive nature of dental reconstruction of meth mouth, sedatives and anesthesia are often used.[5] These medications can cause adverse effects if meth is present in the body's system and may result in hospitalization.
If you or someone you know has a methamphetamine use disorder and needs dental treatment for meth mouth, professional addiction treatment must be completed alongside or before dental care. Speak to your dentist or an addiction specialist for advice on how to get free of meth addiction and regain confidence in your smile.[5]
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