Meth Mouth
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Drugs can affect your body deeply – and very often, the effect is visible on your face as well. For example, a common side effect of a methamphetamine addiction is something called “meth mouth.” Around 96% of meth users have cavities or other teeth conditions, especially those who are aged 30 or older. Left unattended, meth addiction can lead to tooth decay in the later years.
What is Meth?
Methamphetamine, also referred to as meth, crystal meth, crystal, crank or tina is a type of stimulant that gets to your central nervous system. When consumed, it gives a feeling of increased energy and euphoria. Normally, meth looks like a white powder with no particular smell but tastes rather bitter. It can also be semi-transparent if it’s crystalized or compressed into a pill.
The parent drug of meth was amphetamine, developed at the University of Berlin in 1887. The drug was used to treat allergies, asthma, and to provide relief against nasal congestion. In 1919, meth was developed as a variant of amphetamine, to be used in order to suppress the appetite and reduce fatigue. The drug was not very popular at first, but its usage increased in World War II, to help the soldiers last longer without food or sleep.
The main difference between amphetamine and methamphetamine is that meth is supposed to last for a longer time, along with having a more potent effect. It has a potential for dependence if it is misused and can also lead to a variety of health conditions – one of them being meth mouth.
What is Meth?
Methamphetamine, also referred to as meth, crystal meth, crystal, crank or tina is a type of stimulant that gets to your central nervous system. When consumed, it gives a feeling of increased energy and euphoria. Normally, meth looks like a white powder with no particular smell but tastes rather bitter. It can also be semi-transparent if it’s crystalized or compressed into a pill.
The parent drug of meth was amphetamine, developed at the University of Berlin in 1887. The drug was used to treat allergies, asthma, and to provide relief against nasal congestion. In 1919, meth was developed as a variant of amphetamine, to be used in order to suppress the appetite and reduce fatigue. The drug was not very popular at first, but its usage increased in World War II, to help the soldiers last longer without food or sleep.
The main difference between amphetamine and methamphetamine is that meth is supposed to last for a longer time, along with having a more potent effect. It has a potential for dependence if it is misused and can also lead to a variety of health conditions – one of them being meth mouth.
Defining Meth Mouth
“Meth mouth” is what we call tooth decay that often occurs when someone is addicted to meth. Dentists often dub meth mouth as their worst nightmare, and the condition is seen as acidic tooth decay caused by meth abuse.
The tooth decay of meth mouth is usually quite severe, affecting not only the teeth but also the gums. This would very often cause the teeth to break or fall out. The teeth of a long-term meth addict would usually look stained, blackened, crumbling, rotting, or simply looking like they are falling apart.
Overall, the most common side effects of meth mouth include:
- Dry mouth
- Lockjaw
- Cracked, loose, or missing teeth
- Micro-cavity (carious lesions)
- Gingivitis, periodontitis, and gum disease
- Bruxism (teeth clenching or grinding)
- Bad breath
- Black rotting teeth
At the beginning of the meth adduction, the teeth would only mildly stain. However, those stains would become bigger and turn into tooth decay with time. This is why mainly people aged 30 or older are dealing with tooth decay, as they have likely been consuming meth for years.
How Meth Mouth Happens
Meth mouth happens for a variety of reasons. For the average meth user, this type of dental condition is a result of poor maintenance and poor eating habits. In many cases, meth can cause damage to your teeth for reasons such as:
- The acidic nature of methamphetamine
- The drug will make you crave sugar-packed drinks, such as soda
- It can cause your mouth to dry out, so you’ll no longer have as much saliva to protect your teeth as you need
- It can make you grind and clench your teeth
- It can cause you to no longer take much care of yourself, and this includes brushing your teeth.
The teeth damage is mild at first, but as time passes, it becomes more and more evolved. As the meth addict is craving sugary foods and drinks, it will contribute to cavities. Left untreated, this can lead to tooth damage, nerve damage, or even mouth infections in the form of abscesses.
Also, with the addicted individual not getting the proper nutrients (such as iron or vitamin C), their body’s ability to improve their lesions lessens as well. In the end, as their body is not fully able to deal with these lesions, the meth addicts can find themselves in a bit of pain.
Getting Help For Meth Mouth
Once the damage is done, it can be rather difficult to do anything against it. If the decay is only starting – i.e., a few cavities here and there – then there may be some hope of salvaging the teeth.
However, if the decay and corrosion are on a higher level, then treatment becomes more complicated. Extractions may be needed, along with implants and possibly dentures in order to try to reconstruct the mouth.
In order to prevent further damage, experts advise that you stop misusing meth. The faster you make a full recovery, the more teeth damage you can prevent. Medical detox here will be needed, along with long-term rehab to prevent a relapse. Behavioral treatment will also be necessary, instilling better dietary habits along with better habits for improving oral hygiene.
There is no specific treatment for meth mouth or the addiction that caused it. However, the right treatment center can offer you a comfortable detox and rehabilitation program, which can save your mouth as well.
Recovery At Real Deal Sober Living
To boost your recovery, you might want to get the help of professionals. Real Deal Sober Living can help you in this regard. Whether you need inpatient therapy or outpatient therapy to get over an addiction, we will craft a treatment program that fits your needs the most.
Long-term support will also be provided once the treatment stage is over. This should prevent a future relapse – an action that will protect your teeth. We can offer a variety of treatment courses as well, whether you prefer individual therapy or you want to go for group sessions.
Meth mouth can become very troublesome. Once your teeth are gone, it is unlikely that you will be able to do anything to reverse or heal the damage. At that point, all you can do is replace your teeth with implants or dentures – something that can become rather expensive.
Recovery from meth addiction is essential for saving your teeth. Real Deal can help you, so contact us as soon as possible and we will offer our support.