Substance abuse is an unfortunate problem that has plagued society. Addiction to drugs may result in health problems and death eventually, if the user is not treated early on.
There are certain drugs that directly affect the central nervous system and cause mood swings and other physical problems. In severe cases, there is often psychological dependence on the drug that makes one addicted to it. With most countries taking legal steps against it, recreational drug use has been banned in most nations. However, there is rampant drug trafficking still prevalent in several regions.
Most drugs like methamphetamine and marijuana are potentially destructive drugs that are highly addictive. The use of these drugs in the U.S. has been on a consistent rise and its use can be extremely harmful to the user’s general health. However, drug use can be diagnosed and detected quite early on. Oral exams, in this case, can be extremely helpful in detecting substance use.
The main effects of drugs like methamphetamine, also called ‘methamphetamine’, are high blood pressure, permanent damage to the brain cells, hyperthermia nausea and shortness of breath. Rampant tooth decay is one of the most significant effects of drug use. Most Methamphetamine and Cocaine users develop stains and blackened or rotten teeth. Most of these substances are made up of very corrosive substances such as harmful acids, lithium, red phosphorus and anhydrous ammonia. The drug also dries out the mouth and increases cravings for sweetened food. This leads to further damage in oral health and also reduces appetite. The teeth can get severely damaged and need dental implants or dentures.
With a dental examination of the teeth and the oral regions, the dentist may be able to analyze and track the extent of damage done. Severe cases of methamphetamine smokers not just have corroded enamel, but also have a rotted gum line. If massive enamel deterioration is detected in teenagers, then it clearly points to substance use. Drug use can also result in Bruxism in many adults. There are a number of methamphetamine users who may also have external outgrowths like unhealing sores in the mouth, face, legs and arms.
Further tooth decay in between the teeth, cankerous decay along the gum line, and deterioration of the smooth surface of the teeth are common in the mouths of methamphetamine and cocaine users. Tremendous uneasiness and mood swings, which can be some of the after effects of drug use, can make drug addicts clench their teeth and jaws. This is caused due to nervousness and anxiety that may give way to factures on the tooth surface, contributing to extensive dental decay. Drug use also causes blood vessels in the mouth to dehydrate. They shrink and cannot supply the required amount of blood that is needed for keeping the gums healthy. Finally, drug addicts are not very likely to follow a proper dental hygiene regimen at home and therefore, their oral health deteriorates to a large extent.
Please consult a dentist if you have questions or concerns about substance abuse and your oral health. Click here to find a dentist in your area. Enter your ZIP code below to find a money-saving discount dental plan in your area.
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