Methamphetamine is an illegal street drug. It is a stimulant that produces a prolonged high or euphoric state. Methamphetamine use is a threat to your child’s general health and oral health. A common side effect of using the drug is “meth mouth.” Meth mouth is a devastating condition with a distinctive pattern of widespread tooth decay and tooth loss.
Methamphetamine has several slang names, including meth, crystal, speed, ice, chalk, shards, rock, pony, crissie, clear, chimichanga, jib, critter, crawford, tina, crank, fire, glass, and the working man’s cocaine. People use methamphetamine to achieve a long lasting high. The affects of the drug can last for up to 12 hours. People that use methamphetamine become addicted quickly. The addiction causes people to use the drug with increasing frequency and in larger amounts.
Methamphetamine is illegally manufactured in the United States. It is made with highly corrosive materials. The acids in methamphetamine corrode the teeth and mouth. Tooth decay is further accelerated because the drug causes a reduction in protective saliva formation. This can lead to dry mouth. To relieve dry mouth, and because the drug tends to cause cravings for sweets, users typically consume highly sweetened foods and beverages. They may eat large amounts of sugary foods, such as candy, and drink large amounts of soda pop. The drug's acidity, dry mouth, large consumption of carbohydrates, and poor oral health habits while using the drug all contribute to accelerated tooth decay.
Tooth decay caused by methamphetamine presents a distinctive pattern of decay. It tends to affect the flat part of the front teeth and the spaces located between the front teeth first, although all of the teeth can be damaged. The decay from methamphetamine is devastating. It can cause teeth to discolor, darken, and turn black. Teeth may break, rot, fall out, or need to be removed. Meth mouth can even cause some people to loose all of their teeth.
People that use methamphetamine have an increased tendency to grind and clench their teeth. Teeth grinding is a condition called bruxism. Bruxism can damage the teeth, gums, and jaw. It can cause cracked, broken, and loose teeth. Bruxism can also lead to jaw popping and jaw disorders.
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