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THE GRISLY EFFECTS OF METHAMPHETAMINES ON THE TEETHThere is another reason why people should not use methamphetamines: this recreational drug rots out your teeth and devastates your oral health in lightning speed. Rampant tooth decay Users of methamphetamine or meth find themselves dealing with blackened and stained teeth, which usually leave a dentist with no other choice except to extract all of them out. This condition is often called "Meth Mouth." Often, the decay starts with the front teeth, contrary to what happens in ordinary tooth decay in which teeth at the back of the mouth are first affected. The damage could be attributed to a lot of factors. For one, the drug itself is acidic and has a tendency to dry out the mouth, inhibiting the normal activity of salivary glands. Without the much-needed saliva, bacteria from leftover food produce acid which corrodes teeth enamel at a rapid rate. This turns healthy enamel into a brittle, twisted, and crumbling semblance of what used to be one’s pearly whites. Disregarding hygiene Another contributing factor is that methamphetamine users usually do not pay attention to their hygiene whenever they are "high," which usually lasts up to 12 hours. During this time, the user may have intensive cravings for sugary, highly carbonated drinks, which further speed up tooth decay. Also, users tend to forget taking care of themselves altogether, and this habit is notoriously bad not only for the teeth but also for their general health. Harmful ingredients Some dentists are of the opinion that the caustic ingredients of the drugs contribute to the damage. Some of these ingredients include lithium found in car batteries and red phosphorus from the strips on matchboxes. These are severely damaging to the teeth. The effects of methamphetamine to the teeth are alarming. It is thus important to educate many people, especially those who are using or are curious about this drug. Be aware that it causes a disturbing, irreversible damage to the teeth and the mouth. |
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