Case Study:
Addictions: Crystal Meth
The use of crystal meth is an epidemic. It is the second most widely used illicit drug in the world. “Meth Mouth” is the condition of advanced tooth decay that results from the use of meth. It is thought to be caused by a combination of factors which includes: tooth grinding and clenching, extended periods of poor oral hygiene and xerostomia, a condition of decreased saliva production. Saliva is necessary as it provides protection for the teeth and gums by washing away food and neutralizing plaque.
Maya, a 29-year-old female who needed extensive dental treatment was completed in just two appointments. We were able to complete all her complex dental work using the One-Sleep-VisitTM method. A few weeks later, she returned to our office to have her permanent, laboratory-fabricated crowns cemented.
An addiction is defined as “a dependence on a substance…. or a type of behavior… (that) …. is so strong” that “stopping (or withdrawl)…causes severe physical and mental reactions…
Many addictions affect a person’s oral health. At the Blende Dental Group, we routinely treat patients with addictions ranging from methamphetamine, popularly shortened to meth (eg. Crystal meth, crank, ecstasy) use to bulimia to smoking.
The causes of poor oral health are as varied as the addiction. A person addicted to meth often suffers from rampant decay brought about by a combination of variables including dry mouth (xerostomia), extended periods of poor oral hygiene, frequent intake of high carbohydrate foods and/or beverages, tooth grinding and clenching. An individual with bulimia may have loss of enamel, esthetic deterioration and tooth decay due to poor nutrition and the corrosive nature of stomach acids. A smoker may suffer from an increased rate of plaque and tartar buildup, loss of bone within the jaw and increased risk of gum disease and oral cancer.
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