CHICAGO, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Methamphetamine users can go from healthy teeth to extremely sensitive teeth and eventual tooth loss in about a year, says the American Dental Association.
"Meth mouth robs people, especially young people of their teeth and frequently leads to full-mouth extractions and a lifetime of wearing dentures, says Robert M. Brandjord, ADA president.
"Meth mouth is characterized by rampant tooth decay and teeth described by meth users as blackened, stained, rotting, crumbling or falling apart."
The extensive tooth decay of meth mouth is attributed to the drug's dry-mouth effect and its propensity to cause cravings for high-calorie carbonated beverages, tooth grinding and clenching and extended periods of poor oral hygiene, according to Brandjord.
In an effort to highlight this condition, the ADA has posted educational materials on its Web site ada.org for both dentists and patients and recently distributed a video news release with The Partnership for a Drug-Free America at its Web site drugfree.org/meth.
