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 acid, lantern fuel and drain cleaner can be used to make it, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). And with highs lasting for 12 hours, there are long stretches when dental care is overlooked. “Methamphetamine dramatically decreases saliva production and [saliva’s] important ability to buffer acidic attacks in the mouth,” says Dr. Gantos, lead author of a new study in the Journal of Prosthodontics written in collaboration with the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry. “Additionally, users crave sugar and typically have a diet high in carbohydrates and sugary drinks.”
Cosmetic dentists can improve the devastating effects of “meth mouth.”
Other research has found that meth users are less likely to brush and floss their teeth than people who don’t use the drug. What’s more, the American Dental Association (ADA) says that heavy users are often malnourished because methamphetamine acts as an appetite suppressant. “Individually, these factors can lead to dental disease, but combined together, [they] lead to rampant tooth decay and overall poor gum health,” explains Gantos, who has rehabbed so-called “meth mouth” in her practice. About 51 million Americans have used meth at least once. And while the number of users has started to decline in recent years, it’s still a problem that’s especially troublesome in the West, Southwest and Midwest in the U.S., according to the ADA.
Meth isn’t the only substance that can wreck teeth and gums, though. Crack cocaine is also highly acidic and so is soda (both regular or diet varieties), says the AGD. So if you’ve used meth or crack — or even if you’re an avid soda drinker — be aware that the enamel on your teeth may be worn down to the point where decay can easily set in and take a real toll on your oral health.
Recovering Your Smile
“Smile revision,” for meth mouth or the effects of crack cocaine or even soda addiction, can’t begin while an addiction is still active. So it’s best to wait to see a cosmetic dentist until substance use has stopped and sobriety is well underway. It’s actually dangerous for an active user of meth to undergo anesthesia or to be given nitrous oxide during dental care, so dentists require patients to enter recovery first. “Dental treatment should not be initiated until an individual is committed to resolving the addiction and has taken active steps to do so,” stresses Gantos. “In fact, smile rehabilitation and promoting good oral health are tools a [dentist] can use to motivate a recovering addict to stay sober.”
Interestingly, she adds, most drug users who’ve experienced damage to their teeth and gum don’t say they feel pain proportional to the amount of destruction in their mouths; usually, an addict or someone in recovery will see a dentist for aesthetic concerns first and foremost, whereas family members often encourage dental care for health reasons.
Treatment is unique to each patient and will depend a lot on your health history and the extent of the damage to the teeth and gums. But the first step to rehabbing your smile will be to see a dentist for an evaluation. From there, he or she can create a treatment plan that starts with stopping any more dental decay; to that end, your dentist will thoroughly clean your mouth, teeth and gums, fill any cavities and perform root canals or extractions if needed.
Once your mouth is free of disease, you might need removable prostheses (dentures) or implants, depending on the extent of damage and continued dental care needed to stay healthy. Even if a complete smile makeover — which can cost several thousand dollars — is financially out-of-reach right now, it’s not too soon to start getting the basic dental care you need.
“Smiling is one of the most powerful tools we have to increase our self-image, build relationships with others and even enhance our professional goals,” Gantos notes. “It is exceedingly rewarding to have the opportunity to work with someone dedicated to bettering their life and provide them with the confidence to smile again.”
