Meth mouth is the name given to the overt dental disease that is one of the signs of chronic methamphetamine use.
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Clinical presentation
Clinical examination often reveals blackened, stained, rotting or crumbling teeth. Serial studies only a few years apart may show a striking deterioration in the patient's oral health. These features are usually obvious on OPG and associated dental abscess formation should also be excluded 1,2.
Pathology
Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant that is rising in popularity 1. It can be smoked or injected intravenously.
The direct causative link between methamphetamine and dental disease has not been established. It is thought that drug-induced xerostomia, dehydration and teeth grinding are just some of the factors contributing to the dental disease 1,2.
Whilst the clinical history is usually suggestive of drug-induced dental disease, less severe dental deterioration, erosions and caries could also be demonstrated in other states causing increased intraoral acidity, particularly bulimia and severe reflux.
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