One of the most outwardly obvious signs that a person is currently or has in the past struggled with an addiction to meth is the state of their teeth and oral health. We see pictures of black, rotted, broken teeth, but why does meth affect our mouths this way? The simplest answer is that the chemicals in meth damage our teeth enamel, but there are multiple ways that the drug damages our teeth. Below are five of the most common ways, and why it’s bad for our oral health.
- Meth users tend to clench their teeth – Constantly grinding teeth is a sign of constant paranoia, which is something a lot of people with an addiction to meth struggle with. This significantly weakens the tooth structure, making it more prone to being damaged or broken.
- Meth dries out the mouth – we may not realize it, but saliva offers our teeth a lot of protection, including defense against bacteria, and meth restricts how much saliva our mouths can produce. When it’s dry, it’s at risk for infection and is more prone to acid wear.
- Meth tends to make users want soda – Soda is one of the worst substances on the planet for your teeth, and when one bad-for-your-teeth substance makes you crave another, it’s a recipe for disaster, especially when you consider how much sugar alone is in soda.
- Cavities are more likely – Since many meth users ingest a high amount of sugar, they’re more prone to cavities, which can release chemicals that damage other parts of the teeth, and it simply compounds other oral health problems.
- Meth can be acidic – some of the processes for making meth can leave the substance extremely acidic, which damages teeth even further, and with repeated, long term use coupled with poor oral hygiene and increased sugar intake, it’s a recipe for rotted, blackened teeth.
There’s no shortage of photos online of blackened teeth that could make you reconsider using meth, but if you’re in the early stages of meth use, it’s important to realize that there are serious consequences for using meth, and these include your teeth and your mouth’s overall health.
Meth addiction can be extremely difficult to overcome, but The Springboard Center can help guide you back to sobriety. Their residential and outpatient treatment programs are tailored to fit what you need and what will help give you the best foundation for recovery. The affect that meth can have on your life can be devastating, but there IS help if you’re ready to ask for it at The Springboard Center. Don’t let meth control you for one more day: call 432-620-0255 and get help.