Month: July 2018

Substance abuse takes a toll on every inch of your body, and your mouth is no exception: Teeth can become riddled with cavities, cracks, sensitivity and staining and in extreme cases an addict can lose teeth and end up with devastating damage to gums as well. Thanks to modern dentistry, though, more people in recovery are getting another chance at healthy teeth and a brighter grin. “Empowering recovering addicts with a beautiful smile reinforces the strength and courage needed to persevere and continue on their personal journey,” says Meredith Gantos, DDS, a dentist in San Antonio, Texas. The “Meth Mouth” Phenomenon Methamphetamine in particular is known to be extremely destructive to teeth because it’s highly acidic — after all, battery...

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Unlike many of us, Brian Thompson doesn’t take his teeth for granted. After decades of dental neglect caused by drug addiction, he had his teeth pulled during an eight-year stint in prison for drug-related bank robbery. But a few years ago he bumped into someone at an AA meeting who offered him a brand new set of chompers, all expenses paid. He says it’s radically altered his life and helped keep him on the road to recovery—and as the effects of dental work are psychological as well as physical, many other people struggling with or overcoming addiction find it similarly crucial. Brian, 52, grew up on the Lower East Side and started using alcohol and other drugs as a teen....

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