What Does Drug Abuse Do to Your Teeth?
Drug abuse affects your teeth and mouth in many ways. It can lead to severe tooth decay and tooth loss if left untreated. At Sunrise Dental, we understand that everyone has a history. Don’t let your past mistakes affect your oral health! If you need restorative care, we can help you recover your brilliant smile.
Drugs and Teeth
One common side effect of drug use is dry mouth. When your mouth does not make enough saliva, you have a much higher risk for tooth decay, gum disease, and bacterial infections. When someone has dry mouth regularly, it can become difficult to chew, swallow, or talk.
Stimulants like methamphetamine, cocaine, and ecstasy, can also cause you to start grinding your teeth. This constant clenching of your jaw can lead to jaw pain and headaches as well as worn enamel and chipped or broken teeth.
How Different Drugs Affect Your Teeth
Cocaine
Using cocaine, especially orally, has a direct effect on your dental health. Because cocaine and saliva create an acidic reaction, cocaine users may suffer from enamel erosion, cavities, and tooth decay. It can also cause teeth grinding and inflammation that leads to gum disease.
Methamphetamines
Methamphetimine use leads directly to tooth decay. Habitual users often lose teeth due to untreated decay. Meth is an acidic drug that damages your teeth and frequently causes vomiting, which erodes tooth enamel even further. The cravings for sugary foods and drinks after using methamphetamines cause additional damage. Since this drug is highly addictive, tooth loss can happen very quickly.
Marijuana
Smoking marijuana leads to dry mouth as well as cravings for sugary foods or drinks. Side effects of smoking begin with tooth staining, then progress to gum disease, tooth loss, and even mouth cancer. Smoking also masks some symptoms of chronic periodontitis, such as bleeding gums. This complication further increases risk of tooth loss in smokers.
Dental Treatment for Drug Use
If you have suffered through substance abuse, the caring and discreet team at Sunrise Dental can help. To prevent tooth loss and decay, we recommend a full periodontal exam. This exam involves checking your teeth for mobility, examining inflamed gums for damage, and assessing your jaw for bone loss through x-ray imaging.
Using drugs can cause serious damage to your teeth. If you have tooth decay or sensitive gums from drug use, we can help you take the next steps toward better oral health. Contact us today for a confidential consultation.
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