Meth Mouth Explained: Causes, Risks, And Treatment

The use of meth is a significant problem in Australia, and some drug use can result in permanent brain damage. But lifelong brain damage is an extreme consequence, and substance abuse can cause a variety of health problems. One of the effects of methamphetamine use is a condition that is referred to as “meth mouth.”

At Sivana Bali, our treatment centre in Bali is dedicated to providing world-class care to help people overcome drug misuse. Our mission is to empower patients to retake control of their lives back from addiction. 

What is Meth Mouth?

“Meth mouth” is a severe dental condition commonly associated with methamphetamine use. It is characterised by severe tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss. The condition can be caused by a combination of factors, including poor oral hygiene, dry mouth (xerostomia), teeth grinding (bruxism), and the acidic nature of the drug. 

Meth mouth can be a painful condition to live with and can lead to infection, and difficulty eating, severely impacting a person’s overall health and quality of life. 

What Causes Meth Mouth?

Meth mouth can be caused by a combination of factors related to meth use. One major factor is poor oral hygiene. Methamphetamine users often neglect their oral health and forego regular brushing and flossing.

Methamphetamine also causes dry mouth (xerostomia), reducing saliva production, which is crucial for neutralising acids and protecting teeth from decay.

The drug’s acidic nature, combined with the consumption of sugary foods and drinks, further erodes tooth enamel. Additionally, meth users frequently grind and clench their teeth (bruxism), leading to further wear and damage.

The ingredients in meth can also be corrosive and harm the teeth and gums directly. All these factors together result in the rapid deterioration of dental health, known as meth mouth.

How to Identify Meth Mouth

Identifying meth mouth involves looking for several telltale signs in people addicted to meth. These include severe tooth decay and discolouration, often leading to blackened, rotten teeth. The teeth may be broken, decaying, or falling apart, all signs of long periods of poor oral hygiene.

Meth users often have red, swollen, and bleeding gums due to advanced gum disease. There may be noticeable tooth loss or gaps where teeth have fallen out. Bad breath and a persistent dry mouth are also common symptoms. Furthermore, they may have sores or lesions inside the mouth and on the lips.

These signs result from neglecting oral hygiene, the acidic nature of methamphetamine, and the tendency of heavy meth users to grind or clench their teeth. If more than one of the symptoms is observed in a single person, it may indicate meth mouth, and seeking professional dental care and addiction treatment is crucial for them to improve their quality of life.

How to Treat Meth Mouth

People abusing meth may find that treating meth mouth is possible. However, it requires professional, comprehensive treatment to reverse the effects of poor dental care habits. Some of the ways that meth should be treated include:

Dental Care

First, a dentist has to assess the extent of the damage. Decayed teeth that are too far gone to save must be removed; otherwise, they may cause an infection. Fillings and crowns can repair cavities and save whatever teeth can be saved. Missing teeth can be replaced with implants or dentures.

Oral Hygiene Habits

Treatment programmes should also integrate helping patients develop good dental habits. Patients should be encouraged to brush twice a day and floss, and they should be encouraged to use toothpaste and mouthwash that are high in fluoride.

They should also be encouraged to drink plenty of water and chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva production. While developing better habits can be beneficial, they are not a substitute for professional treatment and going to a dentist is still of utmost importance.

Between better hygiene and proper treatment, meth users may find that many dental problems can be addressed or even reversed. However, these treatments and lifestyle changes described above aren’t always enough to address the oral effects of meth use, and patients should regularly follow up with their dentist.

The Health Effects of Meth

While meth mouth can be concerning, long-term methamphetamine use has severe and far-reaching health effects beyond dental diseases. Physically, it can cause significant weight loss, skin sores (meth mites), and increased risk of infectious diseases due to impaired immune function and risky behaviours such as sharing needles with other users.

Cardiovascular issues such as increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and risk of heart attack or stroke are common. Neurologically, meth damages brain cells, leading to memory loss, impaired cognition, and emotional disturbances like anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations.

Long-term meth abuse can cause severe mental health issues, including psychosis, characterised by delusions and violent behaviour. 

Meth also has a high potential for addiction, leading to a cycle of dependency that is difficult to break. The combined physical and mental health effects of meth use significantly diminish a person’s quality of life and can be life-threatening without proper intervention and treatment.

Treating Meth Addiction

Changing dental hygiene habits and getting professional treatment can improve a person’s quality of life. But the root cause of meth mouth has to be addressed to prevent any further damage.

Treating meth addiction involves a multi-faceted approach that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of dependency. The first step of getting sober is often detox, where the body is safely purged of methamphetamine and other substances under medical supervision, managing withdrawal symptoms.

After detox, behavioural therapies, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and contingency management, play a crucial role. These therapies help individuals recognise and change destructive patterns of thinking and behaving. 

Support groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA), provide a community of support and accountability.

Some medications may be prescribed to manage co-occurring mental health disorders, such as depression or anxiety, which can complicate recovery. Long-term aftercare, including ongoing counselling and participation in support groups, is essential to prevent relapse.

A comprehensive treatment plan often addresses related issues like employment, housing, and social support to support a stable, drug-free life.

We’ll Help You Overcome Meth Addiction

The American Dental Association recommends brushing teeth for two minutes. Some electric toothbrushes have built-in timers so users know when to stop, but most people just play it by ear.

However, brushing for two minutes twice a day can seem like an insignificant task, and for many people, it is. However, for people in the throes of addiction, those two minutes are better spent being preoccupied with using meth.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Many people have been able to overcome meth addiction with the right treatment. At Sivana Bali, we offer treatment plans that are personalised to each person so everyone who comes to us gets the help that they need in the way that they need it. Contact us now to take the first step on the road to recovery.