Part of the Complete Guide to Understanding Addiction
What Is Meth Mouth?
Meth mouth, often identified by its classic meth mouth smile, is characterized by rotten, decaying teeth, and gum disease. Meth mouth sores are commonly found in people who are addicted to meth. In this article, Avenues Recovery, leading addiction rehabilitation specialists, explains what meth mouth looks like, helpful tips to combat it, and the only way to avoid contracting meth mouth.
What is Meth?
Methamphetamine, also known as speed, ice, crystal, and glass, is a highly addictive drug that causes many adverse short-term and long-term physical and mental effects over time. It can be taken as a pill, snorted, injected, or smoked, and the immediate after-effects last for up to 12 hours.
In the short term, meth misuse can cause:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Insomnia
- Diarrhea
- Tremors
- Loss of appetite
- Shortness of breath
- Formication (the feeling of insects crawling just under the skin)
Some of the damage caused by prolonged recreational use of meth includes:
- Stroke
- Brain damage
- Elevated blood pressure
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Delusions
- Meth mouth
In this article, we will explore a phenomenon known as ‘meth mouth’, which is one of the side effects of meth.
What Does Meth Do to Your Teeth?
Meth teeth are usually blackened, stained, cracked, and falling out. The damage is usually irreversible even after the person stops abusing the drug, and extensive dental work is needed to restore the mouth somewhat.
How Long Does It Take to Get Meth Mouth?
Meth mouth can develop over the course of just one year of misusing meth drugs.
Meth Mouth Statistics
In a study of 571 meth users by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the following was discovered:
- 96% had cavities.
- 58% had untreated tooth decay.
- 31% had six or more missing teeth.
- 23% retained all of their natural teeth.
- 89% of male users within the group were suffering from periodontitis.
- 85% of female users within the group were suffering from periodontitis.
- Current cigarette smokers had higher rates of tooth decay and tooth loss.
It was found that the factors that cause greater decay are female gender, smoking, being 30 years or older, and using meth for an extended period of time.
Why Does Meth Ruin Teeth?
There are several reasons why meth mouth occurs. What causes meth mouth? Firstly, the meth itself is acidic, and the stimulation caused by meth makes the users grind their teeth, both of which cause the teeth to decay and crumble. Meth users also crave sugary, high-calorie, carbonated drinks when on a ‘high’ from the drug, which, together with the acidity of the meth itself, causes significant damage to the teeth.
Extensive meth use causes a condition called ‘xerostomia,’ or dry mouth, where the natural protective layer of enamel (found on healthy teeth) wears away, leaving the teeth highly susceptible to decay. Additionally, during the 12-hour post-meth-use high, users will often neglect their oral hygiene, which contributes to the rotting and decaying of the teeth and gums.
Meth mouth is caused by a combination of all of these factors.
Signs of Meth Teeth
The symptoms of meth addict teeth differ for every meth user, depending on the method of ingesting the drug, the duration of meth misuse, and other factors. Some of the signs that you or your loved one may be suffering from meth side effects on the mouth include:
- Dry mouth/Xerostomia (loss of natural protective enamel layer)
- Cracked, loose, or missing teeth
- Black, rotten teeth
- Lockjaw
- Bad breath
- Tooth decay
- Red, swollen gums
- Clenching or grinding teeth
How to Get Rid of Meth Mouth
Unfortunately, meth mouth damage is permanent, and therefore the teeth and gums can never be restored to the way they were before meth misuse. Dentists often have to remove badly decayed teeth, but teeth that are not removed can’t necessarily be salvaged either.
However, there are helpful tactics to prevent, hide, or partially fix meth mouth:
- Stained teeth can be treated with veneers
- Dentures or implants can replace missing teeth
- A mouthguard can prevent continued grinding
- Brushing and cleaning teeth regularly can prevent further decay
How to Avoid Meth Mouth
Unfortunately, the only way to avoid meth mouth completely is by abstaining from meth. Meth addiction, like any addiction, is a disease. It does not disappear on its own. Extensive treatment is needed to manage, control, and help the person overcome the addiction for life. Some of the stages of recovery include detox and residential treatment, which include one-on-one and group therapies. All of these steps should ideally take place at a reputable meth rehab center.
If you or your loved one are suffering from meth addiction, know that there is hope. Avenues Recovery is a leading meth rehab treatment provider, and recovery is entirely possible with the support of our professional and dedicated team. Reach out to us to hear about our specialized meth rehab program, where every patient benefits from treatment plans made especially for them. You can and will recover with the guidance and expertise of our highly experienced addiction counselors. Contact Avenues Recovery today to take your first step towards recovery.