Furthermore, human saliva inhibits S. These findings suggest that METH might increase the risk of microbial dental disease in users, information that may help in the development of effective public health strategies to deal with this scourge in our society. METH users are also prone to colonization by cariogenic bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans In addition, this oral condition is aggravated by METH users' compulsive behavior, including the consumption of beverages with high sugar content, recurrent tooth grinding, and a lack of frequent oral hygiene.
The severe oral health issues caused by meth include advanced tooth decay, staining, rotting and gum disease. As mentioned, meth is a highly addictive and illegal street drug that is generally white and crystalline in appearance.
Meth is also known as speed, crystal, glass and ice. It can be taken in several different ways, including snorting, smoking or injecting it with a needle. Almost immediately, users feel an overwhelming sense of false euphoria, confidence, and energy, which creates a strong desire to continue using it repeatedly. However, the effects only last for a few hours.
According to American Addiction Centers 1 , the body loses its ability to create pleasure-inducing chemicals after prolonged meth use. The American Dental Association 2 lists symptoms of meth mouth as:. Meth mouth is a characteristic of chronic meth abusers, along with other physical and mental health issues.
The more meth is used and for longer periods of time, the worse the meth mouth symptoms will be. Here are the most common reasons:. My colleagues and I at the Tygerberg Oral Health Centre noticed an increase in the number of young adult patients presenting with multiple badly decayed teeth. We saw an unusual pattern of tooth decay.
These patients presented with cavities on the smooth surfaces of the teeth, leading eventually to total destruction of the tooth. One of the side effects of tik is hyposalivation causing a dry mouth. This lack of saliva has serious consequences. The ducts of the salivary glands produce saliva that is the primary defence in fighting bad bacteria in the mouth, buffering acids and protecting the teeth.
The enzymes in saliva keep the mouth moist and in a state of homeostasis; that is, a pH balance with just the right amount of acid in the mouth. In mechanisms still being studied and debated, the use of tik affects the actions of the salivary glands and inhibits the secretion of saliva, causing a dry mouth.
One theory is that the drug causes a narrowing of the blood vessels in salivary glands, decreasing the flow of saliva. When they pass out, they are breathing through their mouth, which dries out the mouth. And without saliva circulating in the mouth, the teeth are at risk. This has been debated. Some say it is.
Pure methamphetamine is NOT acidic, but most street meth contains acidic byproducts. This method of methamphetamine synthesis produces hydroiodic acid. Other acids can be made as byproducts depending on how the methamphetamine is synthesized. Many meth users are anxious and paranoid, mostly due to the effects of the drug on their body.
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