Methamphetamine

By: Leah Renbaum

Methamphetamine, also known as meth, is a central nervous system stimulant that can be injected, ingested, snorted, or inhaled (Klasser & Epstein, 2005). It has become more popular in North America as it is available in different forms and is relatively easy to synthesis and distribute (Klasser & Epstein, 2005). Meth is an extremely addictive drug due to its potential for abuse and dependence as it produces prolonged euphoria for the user (Klasser & Epstein, 2005). In this blog, we will be exploring the effects of smoking meth and its effects on the oral cavity.

Methamphetamine the Smokable Form

Methamphetamine, the smokable form, is produced by crystals resembling ice. It is smoked in a pipe, and the odorless smoke leaves a residue that can be smoked again (Klasser & Epstein, 2005). Users usually opt for this form as they immediately experience the intense rush. This rush usually lasts for a few minutes and then is followed by a prolonged high (Klasser & Epstein, 2005).

How Methamphetamine affects our teeth

Methamphetamine affects many parts of the body; however, in today’s blog we will be focusing on its effects on the oral cavity. There are many oral effects that contribute to a meth user which are: tooth decay, gum disease and dentition destruction (Shaikh, Modi & Munde, 2014). Addicts of Methamphetamine are known to have poor dental hygiene and are characterized as having a “meth mouth” (Shaikh, Modi & Munde, 2014). Meth mouth can be described as “blackened, stained, rotting, crumbling, or falling apart teeth” (Shaikh et al., 2014, p.7).

Increase of high caries incidence

As mentioned, methamphetamine users are known for high caries incidence. There are three main reasons why users are more prone to caries. The first reason is the chemical Methamphetamine itself is acidic; therefore, the chemicals can cause erosion to the enamel; contributing to meth-induced carries (American Dental Society, n.d.). The second reason is after smoking; users develop a high and crave carbonated sugary drinks or food (Klasser & Epstein, 2005). This poses a problem as the tooth constantly undergoes an acid attack resulting in demineralization of the enamel (De La Barra, 2018). This essentially destructs the tooth’s enamel which can lead to a cavity. The last reason why users are more susceptible to dental caries is that smoking methamphetamine can cause vasoconstriction in the salivary glands (Klasser & Epstein, 2005). This constriction results in a decrease in salivary flow, which can result in a dry mouth known as xerostomia (Klasser & Epstein, 2005). Saliva is very important as it acts as a natural defense to tooth caries as it neutralizes plaque acids (De La Barra, 2018). Therefore, with a reduced salivary flow, methamphetamine users are more prone to dental caries. Meth-induced cavities can become very intrusive on the tooth’s structure and can become unsalvageable which would lead to extractions (Klasser & Epstein, 2005). Below is an image of a common pattern of methamphetamine-induced carries.

Gum irritation

The second oral effect related to methamphetamine users is gum irritation (Shaikh, Modi & Munde, 2014). Users who smoke methamphetamine often present with severe inflammation and painful mouth sores (Shaikh, Modi & Munde, 2014. The reason being is the user’s soft tissue and oral mucosa comes into contact with these harsh chemicals. As a result, the gums are irritated and can often lead to gum disease (Shaikh, Modi & Munde, 2014).

Destruction of Dentition

The last oral effect of methamphetamine is its destruction to the dentition (Klasser & Epstein, 2005). As mentioned earlier, methamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant; and can result in cognitive impairment such as hallucinations (Klasser & Epstein, 2005). That feeling combined with anxiety can cause excessive chewing, tooth grinding and clenching (Klasser & Epstein, 2005). This increase of motor activity results in destruction of the dentition.

To conclude; Methamphetamine is becoming more of a serious problem in North America due to its wide appeal and availability (Klasser & Epstein, 2005). Methamphetamine is used for its prolonged euphoria, and it is a very addictive drug (Klasser & Epstein, 2005). Although we only covered the oral effects of smoking methamphetamine, there are very serious health implications and it is important we educate ourselves (Shaikh, Modi & Munde, 2014). If you or someone you know is addicted to Methamphetamine please contact the following number or reach out to your family physician.