Meth mouth: symptoms, causes, drugs, etc. • hello healthy

Definition

What is meth mouth?

Meth mouth is a term for tooth and mouth decay caused by the highly addictive illegal drug, namely methamphetamine (meth). This is one of the severe effects of methamphetamine on the health of its users.

Methamphetamine is a potent central nervous system stimulant. Quoted from Medical News Today, methamphetamine is a very addictive psychostimulant drug, similar to amphetamine. This drug is used as a strong euphoric effect, similar to cocaine.

Methamphetamine is easy to produce and is a very potent drug, so it is considered a drug of abuse. Long-term use can have devastating effects on users and society at large.

It can cause shortness of breath, hyperthermia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, permanent brain damage and uncontrollable tooth decay.

Methamphetamine dosage and overdose

When legally prescribed, the normal dosage ranges from 2.5 to 10 mg daily, up to a maximum of 60 mg daily.

Because illegal drugs, including methamphetamine are not regulated, there is no way to know if they are in an illegal dose.

High body temperature, heart attacks, and seizures can occur with an overdose. If not treated promptly, overdose can lead to organ failure and death.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of meth mouth?

The oral effects of using methamphetamine can be devastating. Reports have shown the presence of caries that becomes visible and resembles caries in early childhood, also known as meth mouth.

A specific pattern of tooth decay is often seen on the smooth surface of the teeth and the interproximal surfaces of the anterior teeth.

Quoted from the American Dental Association, meth mouth is characterized by severe tooth and gum damage, which often causes severe tooth loss or loss.

Oral examination of 571 methamphetamine users showed:

• 96% have cavities This is a permanently damaged area on the hard surface of your teeth that develops into a cavity.
• 58% had untreated tooth decay, that is when cavities untreated and the hole is getting bigger and affects the deeper layers of the tooth.
• 31% had six or more missing teeth.

The teeth of people who are addicted to methamphetamine are marked black, stained, rotten, crushed, and falling apart. Often, teeth cannot be saved and must be removed.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a dentist?

You should call your doctor if you experience symptoms from meth mouth.

Cause

What are the causes of mouth meth?

The causes of dental problems related to methamphetamine may be listed below:

• The acidic nature of the drug can damage teeth.
• The medicinal ability to dry out the mouth, reducing the amount of saliva around the teeth
• The ability of the drug to create a desire to drink high calorie carbonated drinks
• The tendency of drug users to engage in bruxism, which is the desire to clench or grind their teeth
• The duration of the drug's effect (12 hours) tends to be long and drug users are less likely to clean their teeth.

A study cited by the American Dental Association shows that the more people use methamphetamine, the worse the tooth decay they experience.

Methamphetamine users who are 30 years of age or older, women, or smokers are more likely to have tooth decay and gum disease.

Methamphetamine is a drug that can be smoked, sniffed, injected, or taken in pill form and can have an addictive effect. The "hovering" effect (which causes the brain to feel immense pleasure) can last up to 12 hours. This can lead to poor dental hygiene over a long period of time.

In the short term, methamphetamine can cause shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, hyper activity, decreased appetite, tremors, and difficulty breathing.

Over time, these drugs can cause irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure, strokes, violent behavior, anxiety, confusion, paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions. Methamphetamine can also negatively affect your brain's ability, including learning, in the long run.

Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are the treatment options for meth mouth?

A study of people who used methamphetamine in China showed that more than 97% had bad teeth, but the level of decay was lower in those who used the drug for less than a year and brushed their teeth at least twice per day.

However, even though methamphetamine users practice good dental hygiene, it is difficult to prevent tooth decay from occurring. Meanwhile, cases of tooth decay that are not serious can be treated, but cannot restore the teeth to normal condition.

Unfortunately, there is not much dentists can do for patients with meth mouth and treatment is usually limited to tooth extraction, not repair of oral and dental decay or disease.

If you are concerned that you could have meth mouth, you can stop the development of this condition by stopping the use of the drug.

Detox is a recommended treatment option to keep the body free from methamphetamine abuse. You have a higher chance of recovery in the care of a medical professional.

Therapists, nurses, doctors and staff will watch over patients who wish to recover and support their change towards calm. After inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation, a support group may also be able to assist you.

You can treat dry mouth by consuming water as a substitute for soft drinks or other sugary drinks.

Maintaining oral hygiene by regularly brushing and flossing, as well as visiting the dentist can help reduce the risk of getting meth mouth.

Prevention

How can I prevent this condition?

The main reason why people can experience meth mouth is due to the use of the drug methamphetamine. Even though it is easy to say, of course stopping drug use cannot be easily done.

The best way to prevent meth mouth is to avoid using methamphetamine. If you can't stop or prevent it, you can try to avoid craving sweets, and / or start maintaining good oral health.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.