Meth Mouth
Meth mouth is the common term used for the tooth and oral health damage sustained after the use of the highly addictive and illegal drug methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is catagorized as a stimulant and can cause hyperthermia, vomiting, nausea, shortness of breath, diarrhea, high blood pressure, irregular heart beat, permenant brain damage as well as uncontrollable tooth decay.
Meth mouth leaves the teeth with the appearance of being blackened, stained, rotting, or crumbling due to the combined effects of dry mouth (physiologically caused by the drug) and long periods of inadequate oral care. Often, the teeth cannot be salvaged and must be removed.
During a meth high, which can last up to 12 hours, users neglect regular oral health procedures. They also tend to crave high calorie, high sugar content foods and may clench or grind the teeth. All of these behaviors mixed with the dry mouth caused by the drug lead to rampant tooth decay.
Source: Meth Mouth - A-Z Topics - MouthHealthy
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
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