Meth Mouth Can Signal Addiction to Dentists

When otherwise healthy young people show up at the dentist with severe oral health problems, it should signal to the dentist that the patient may be addicted to methamphetamine. Patients who exhibit symptoms of "meth mouth" are more likely to be injection drug users, according to a new study.

The link between meth abuse and increase dental disease is no longer a myth, it has been documented by scientific research.

A new study, "The Relationship Between Methamphetamine Use and Increased Dental Disease," published in The Journal of the American Dental Association is the first to directly link severe dental problems with methamphetamine abuse.

Early Detection Needed

Key findings of the research include:

• 40% of methamphetamine abusers have severe oral health problems.
  
• People who smoke or snort meth have fewer dental problems.
  
• Those who inject meth have more severe dental health problems.

The researchers write that dentists can help with early detection and intervention of meth abuse by detecting severe problems in otherwise healthy patients.

The study was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

^{Source: Shetty, V., et al. "The Relationship Between Methamphetamine Use and Increased Dental Disease." The Journal of the American Dental Association March 2010.}

More About Meth:

• The Health Effects of Methamphetamine
  
• The Face of Meth Use
  
• 'Meth Mouth' No Myth for Dentists

^{Photo: MAPP-SD}