Meth Mouth
Methamphetamine (also known as meth) is a dangerously addictive drug that can have severe health consequences, including stroke and permanent brain damage. A recent study funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse shows that the use of meth is also devastating to your dental health.
Meth can be smoked, snorted, injected or taken in pill form. The high (which causes the brain to feel intense pleasure) can last up to 12 hours. This can lead to long periods of poor dental hygiene. In addition, while high, users often crave high-calorie, carbonated, or sugary beverages and are more prone to grind their teeth.
“Meth Mouth” is characterized by severe tooth decay and gum disease which often causes teeth to break or fall out.
The December 2015 study evaluated the mouths of 571 methamphetamine users. The results showed the following:
96% had cavities
58% had untreated tooth decay
31% had six or more missing teeth
People addicted to methamphetamine can result in their teeth becoming blackened, stained, rotten, or crumbling and falling apart. Often, the teeth cannot be salvaged and must be removed. The study found that the more meth a person used, the worse their tooth decay was. Meth users who were 30 years of age or older, women or cigarette smokers were more likely to have tooth decay and gum disease.
Though on the decline nationwide, meth use remains high in certain areas of the country, such as in the West and Midwest. The 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicated 1.2 million people reported they had used meth in the past year.
http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/m/meth-mouth?source=facebook&content=meth_mouth
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