Meth mouth is a colloquial term used to describe severe tooth decay and tooth loss as well as tooth fracture, acid erosion, and other oral problems that are often correlated with extended use of the drug methamphetamine. The condition is thought to be caused by a combination of side effects of the drug (clenching and grinding of teeth, dry mouth) and lifestyle factors (infrequent oral hygiene, frequent consumption of sugary drinks, as well as neglecting regular dental cleanings and preventive care), which may be present in long-term users. However, the legitimacy of meth mouth as a unique condition has been questioned because of the similar effects of some other drugs on teeth. Images of diseased mouths are often used in anti-drug campaigns.

The condition is difficult to treat, and may involve fillings, fluoride to fight tooth decay and drugs that increase saliva for dry mouth, as well as oral hygiene instruction. It can be dangerous for active methamphetamine users to undergo

dental surgery because of the cardiac problems that can result from the interaction of local anesthetic with the drug.

Signs and symptoms

Methamphetamine (informally referred to as "meth") is a stimulant drug with a high potential for addiction in its recreational users. It incurs physical and psychological side effects that users find desirable. Other side effects (like bruxism and stimulant psychosis) can result in users neglecting their dental health, eventually leading to advanced tooth decay (caries) and gum infections. Further, a common side effect of stimulant drugs is xerostomia, which accelerates tooth decay.

, methamphetamine is the most discussed illegal drug in dental literature for its extensive effect on users' dental health. The teeth of some methamphetamine users appear to be dark and extensively eroded. The epithet "meth mouth" is the result of these superficial presentations of advanced tooth decay and gum infection. Caries often occur in the cervical regions of teeth, where the tooth surface narrows at the junction of the crown and the root; decay is primarily centered on the buccal (cheek) side of the teeth, and on tooth surfaces that are adjacent to incisors and canines. Eventually, the coronal tooth area (near the crown) can be affected by the decay and erosion. The dental caries of meth mouth often progress slowly, perhaps because their advancement is hindered by intermittent hygienic practices. The decay can lead to tooth fractures and severe pain. In some cases, teeth are permanently damaged and must be removed. Along with malnutrition and weight loss, the dental effects of methamphetamine use contribute to the appearance of premature aging seen in some users.

Methamphetamine users sometimes experience soreness in the joint of the jaw and dental attrition (tooth wear) due to bruxism, a common side effect of stimulant drugs. This bruxism can occur continuously. Chronic use of the drug might also cause trismus, the inability to open the jaw.

The effects of meth mouth are similar to those of Sjögren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease that causes a lack of saliva, which results in tooth decay.

Causes

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The hypothesized causes of meth mouth are a combination of MA side effects and lifestyle factors which may be present in users:

  • Dry mouth (xerostomia)
  • Clenching and grinding of the teeth (bruxism)
  • Infrequent oral hygiene As dry mouth is also a common side effect of other stimulants, which are not known to contribute severe tooth decay, many researchers suggest that methamphetamine-associated tooth decay is more due to users' other choices. They suggest the side effect has been exaggerated and stylized to create a stereotype of current users as a deterrence for new ones.

Society and culture

Although most methamphetamine users lived in Asian countries in the early 2000s, the use of the drug increased dramatically in other parts of the world in that decade. In areas where use of the drug has become common, meth mouth is often widespread. The condition is expensive to treat and has strained public health resources, prompting concerns among dental authorities in several countries about the burden of treatment.

Images of meth mouth are usually considered disturbing and have been used in anti-drug campaigns, even being placed on billboards. The condition is often mentioned in media coverage of methamphetamine, and it has been included in media portrayals of drug abuse in order to demonstrate the scope of the drug's effects or to provoke disgust in the audience. Opponents argue that the term is used to negatively stereotype methamphetamine users, and that it is falsely portrayed as inevitable or characteristic.

The drama series Breaking Bad, which centers around the production of crystal meth, features a number of minor characters who have meth mouth. The series creator Vince Gilligan has said one of his regrets about the series is that one of the lead characters, Jesse Pinkman (played by Aaron Paul), had perfect teeth because he felt this was unrealistic, given the amount of meth the character consumed.

See also

  • Faces of Meth

References

Bibliography

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  • American Dental Association Overview of Meth Mouth
  • Meth Mouth Image Gallery at CBSNews.com