Crystal methamphetamine, generally just referred to as crystal meth or ice, is fairly prevalent in Australia. In fact, it has been suggested that Australia has one of the highest rates of crystal meth usage in the world. It's an illicit drug that is highly addictive and is disastrous to a person's physical and mental health. If you are in the process of breaking your addiction, you may find yourself attempting to undo the physical damage caused by the drug, and your dental health will need to be addressed.
Meth Mouth
You may have heard of an issue known as meth mouth, although this is not a specific dental condition. It's more the cumulative effect of crystal meth addiction, which has the ability to severely compromise your dental health. Meth can affect your saliva production, drying out your teeth and making them more susceptible to decay. Additionally, many meth users will have an affinity for sugary drinks while under the influence of the drug, while this influence can simultaneously cause you to disregard the need for oral hygiene. And there's also the acidic, caustic nature of the crystal meth itself.
Common Issues
Those are the ways in which crystal meth can affect your dental health, and treatment depends on how your teeth were affected. Some issues, such as dry mouth, will dissipate once use of the drug is discontinued, although any subsequent decay will need to be addressed, with cavities needing to be filled and degraded teeth needing to be rebuilt using dental bonding, or even dental crowns. When a tooth has lost too much of its structure, it may need to be extracted and replaced with a dental implant or bridge. Your dentist will take you through the necessary types of treatment that you will require to restore your teeth.
At the Dentist
While you don't need to give your dentist the specifics of the cause of your problem, it's wise to inform them that it's due to substance addiction. Don't be embarrassed, and remember that your dentist is a medical professional. It's in your best interests that they're well-informed. The nature of your addiction will mean that your dentist may need to modify their approach in terms of any medications that they might wish to prescribe. For example, your dentist will often choose to avoid prescribing any opioids. Similarly, they will want to avoid any interaction between medication they may need to give you and any medication you might have been prescribed to aid the detoxification process.
Restoring your smile can be an important part of the process of rebuilding your life after your crystal meth addiction, and your dentist is there to help.
To learn more, contact a dentist.
Share24 February 2021
As you age, it can become harder to take care of your teeth. Motor challenges can make it hard to floss, while memory issues may make it easy to overlook brushing. Whether you are a senior looking for solutions to some of the common dental problems or a senior with specific questions about cavities or oral surgery, you have come to the right place. In this blog, I am going to touch on a range of topics related to seniors and oral health. This is the type of resource I wish my mum would have had access to in her senior years, and I hope you enjoy having access to it during yours. I appreciate you reading my posts.
