Meth Teeth

Meth teeth is a condition wherein there is progressive destruction of the hard tissues of the oral cavity, brought on by an addiction to the drug methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is a psychoactive stimulant drug which increases the alertness and energy of a person. Thus, when taken in high doses, it can also lead to euphoria, increased self-esteem and an increase in sexual pleasure. This is the reason that this drug has a very high potential of drug abuse. Besides some of the most obvious side effects of methamphetamine, like increased heart rate, hypertension, dizziness, etc., one will also show symptoms like meth teeth. Meth teeth consists of symptoms which are brought on by overuse of methamphetamine.

Signs and Symptoms of Meth Teeth

Tooth Decay
One of the most visible meth teeth symptoms is very rapidly progressing tooth decay. Tooth decay is characteristic of this condition because unlike normal tooth decay where cavities normally begin near the fissures and on the occlusal surface of teeth, in meth abuse cases, caries occurs near the gingival margins of teeth. Thus, the caries are smooth surface caries, and they progress not upwards but inwards. Hence, these lesions are gnawing in nature and they tend to progress very rapidly, which leads to severe pain. Due to these kinds of gnawing cavities, there is weakening of the tooth structure and teeth often break off. There is also a lot of attrition seen.

Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis
Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, or ANUG is also seen in relation with meth teeth. This is actually a periodontal disease, where the gums get severely infected and develop large, non-healing ulcers on their surface. Although this symptom may be transient and may even resolve without the need for any active treatment, it may be recurrent in nature. Thus, due to loss and progressive destruction of the periodontal structures, which are the supporting structures of the teeth, the teeth may move from their position and there may be migration and subsequent crowding of teeth.

Pain
There is severe pain. This pain is caused due to two factors. Firstly, the tooth pain is due to caries reaching the pulp very quickly. As the lesions are gnawing in nature, this pain is similar to the pain a person suffering from acute pulpitis goes through. There is also gum pain which is due to the recurrent bouts of ANUG. Due to the destruction of the periodontium, there is not only tooth pain but also gum and bony pain. Quite often, it is seen that the destruction that reaches the pulp leads to a tooth abscess, which is visible in the oral cavity as a swelling near the apex of the tooth. This may eventually increase the chances of gum abscess and bouts of ANUG as well.

Accompanying Symptoms
Along with meth teeth, there are certain systemic symptoms that are also seen. These include fever, malaise, loss of appetite, burning sensation in the mouth, etc.

Meth Teeth Treatment

The treatment of meth teeth is quite difficult. This is because firstly, unless and until the person stops taking methamphetamine completely, there is absolutely no scope for improvement. In fact, most cases of meth teeth that come to the dentist are in such bad shape, that more or less there is very little scope of reversing the damage that is done. Most cases need full mouth rehabilitation treatment. This is because, only treating the teeth and not the gums, or vice versa, tends to give only temporary results. Thus, there is often need for root canal treatment, bridges, crowns, gum surgeries, etc., in combinations, depending on the condition of the oral cavity.

This was all about meth teeth, their symptoms and treatment. Most cases of meth teeth are not easily treatable, and the first and most important step that the patient needs to take is to get off the drug, only after which is there any hope of some kind of recovery.