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Addiction leaves mouth damagedDear Dr. Reitz: I am in the process of getting my life back in shape now that I am in recovery from methamphetamine addiction. My mouth looks terrible, with soft, black areas where the teeth meet the gums. The appearance of my teeth is limiting my employment opportunities. Why did my teeth get so bad, and how do I go about getting them fixed? - Joe Dear Joe: Congratulations on being on the road to recovery from an addiction that is considered today's greatest drug threat. As you are probably aware, methamphetamine is a cheap, highly addictive brain stimulant that gives the user a rush of pleasure, with side effects that include increased blood pressure, tremors, convulsions, insomnia, and premature loss of teeth. As time passes most methamphetamine users need to switch from the pill form, to smoking or snorting the drug to obtain the same euphoria. If your addiction included smoking the methamphetamine, the highly toxic fumes contained corrosive muriatic and sulfuric acids which contributed to the extensive dental destruction sometimes called meth mouth. The methamphetamine also causes reduced saliva production, resulting in a dry mouth. Although methamphetamine suppresses appetite, many users will constantly bathe their mouths with carbohydrate rich carbonated drinks because of the dry mouth. Sodas high in caffeine and sugar (such as Mountain Dew) also increase the drug high. The sugar accelerates the oral bacteria growth, and the carbonation accelerates the destruction of the enamel on the teeth. The soft, black areas you described at the neck of the teeth are very indicative of the decay that occurs in patients with methamphetamine addiction. Some patients have noticed a change in the appearance of their teeth in as little as three months after first taking methamphetamine. While high on the drug, the hyper-active state causes repetitive clenching and grinding of teeth. The force and frequency of the grinding accelerates the tooth destruction. Most dentists understand the destructive oral effects of methamphetamine addiction because of the educational efforts of the American Dental Association. Since you're in recovery it's time for a dentist to do a comprehensive oral examination to determine the extent of the damage and develop treatment options. It's very important that you tell your dentist about your past addiction. With your history, you dentist will know not to prescribe any narcotics or use nitrous oxide (laughing gas), because they could lead to a relapse of the addiction or substitute addiction. The column is written by John Reitz, DDS, and does not represent the opinion of the Pennsylvania State Dental Board. Dr Reitz answers questions from readers. E-mail them via his Web site at reitzdds.com or mail to John Reitz, DDS, 30 Commerce Drive, Wyomissing PA 19610 John
V. Reitz, D.D.S., F.A.G.D. Copyright
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