Meth mouth
"Meth mouth" is an informal name for advanced tooth decay attributed to heavy methamphetamine use.[1] According to the American Dental Association, meth mouth "is probably caused by a combination of drug-induced psychological and physiological changes resulting in xerostomia (dry mouth), extended periods of poor oral hygiene, increased consumption of sugared soft drinks, and teeth clenching and grinding (bruxism)."[2][3]
"Meth mouth" characteristics include:
- Bruxism (teeth clenching and grinding): Methamphetamine induces bruxism, leading to the wear and cracks of tooth enamel.
- Oral hygiene neglect: Methamphetamine users often neglect oral hygiene.
- Hyposalivation (dry mouth): A lack of saliva's natural protective effects directly leads to increased tooth decay, particularly at the gum line.
Some have contended that "meth mouth" is not due to methamphetamine being acidic or corrosive[4] but the Pennsylvania Dental Association maintains that "the acidic ingredients of methamphetamine can damage teeth.".[5] Meth mouth has been observed in people who abuse pharmaceutical grade methamphetamine as well. It is most likely due to common characteristics of heavy methamphetamine use.[6]
Despite the name "meth mouth", similarly accelerated tooth decay can be caused by the abuse of other stimulants with similar actions, such as amphetamines, cocaine and methylphenidate.
[edit] References
- ^ Schep LJ, Slaughter RJ, Beasley DM (August 2010). "The clinical toxicology of metamfetamine". Clinical Toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.) 48 (7): 675–94. doi:10.3109/15563650.2010.516752. ISSN 1556-3650. PMID 20849327.
- ^ "Methamphetamine Use (Meth Mouth)". American Dental Association. Archived from the original on 2006-11-30. http://web.archive.org/web/20061130001044/http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/topics/methmouth.asp. Retrieved 2006-12-16.
- ^ Caries Associated with Methamphetamine Abuse. PMID 12271905.
- ^ Shaner, J.; Kimmes, N.; Saini, T.; Edwards, P. (2006). ""Meth mouth": rampant caries in methamphetamine abusers.". AIDS patient care and STDs 20 (3): 146–150. doi:10.1089/apc.2006.20.146. PMID 16548711.
- ^ The Truth About Meth: A Devastating and Addictive Drug Pennsylvania Dental Association 16 August 2010
- ^ http://www.cjpf.org/drug/methmouth.htm
- Richards, J.R., Brofeldt, B.T. (August 2000). "Patterns of tooth wear associated with methamphetamine use". J Periodontol 71 (8): 1371–4.
[edit] External links
- NPR transcript: 'Meth Mouth' Strains Prison Health-Care Budgets
- Hasan AA, Ciancio S (2004). "Relationship between amphetamine ingestion and gingival enlargement". Pediatr Dent 26 (5): 396–400. PMID 15460293. http://openurl.ingenta.com/content/nlm?genre=article&issn=0164-1263&volume=26&issue=5&spage=396&aulast=Hasan.
- Shaner JW (September 2002). "Caries associated with methamphetamine abuse". J Mich Dent Assoc 84 (9): 42–7. PMID 12271905.
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