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Meth Mouth: How to Recover From Destroyed Oral Health

Meth Mouth Is Every Dentist’s Worst Nightmare

We all make mistakes. Finding yourself in a dark place and feeling like you have nobody to turn to can be dangerous, especially because you may feel like you need to start using and abusing drugs or alcohol to escape reality and feel better again.

While that is far from the truth, many people go down this dark path, and one of the drugs they reach for is often Methamphetamine or Meth. The abuse of this drug is what causes Meth mouth, but your teeth will be the least of your worries once you discover the benefits of cosmetic dentistry.

The reason why meth mouth is every dentist’s worst nightmare is that teeth usually can’t be salvaged. The only exception is if you act early, during the early stages of meth mouth. In those cases, something could be done, but otherwise, all teeth need to be pulled out. Of course, you won’t walk around toothless because teeth veneers exist. So, we’re here to talk about what Methamphetamine abuse can do to your oral health and how you can recover from it.

The Effects of Meth Addiction on Your Oral Health

There are different ways to ingest Meth, and all of them can affect your teeth. Yes, your oral health suffers even if Meth never directly touches it. Why does it happen? Firstly, Meth’s acidity can negatively impact your oral health both directly and indirectly. This impact is so severe that your teeth literally start falling apart. Here are some of the things that happen to people with Meth mouths:

  • Teeth start breaking or loosening/falling out
  • Cavities
  • Meth mouth sores
  • Dry mouth

In the beginning, this tooth decay may not seem bad because it happens to all of us. Besides the acidity of the drug, there’s another thing that promotes it — poor oral hygiene.

Methamphetamine users aren’t naturally bad at maintaining good hygiene, but the drug will change them. The kind of high Meth gives you will make you feel great, but you’ll also crave a lot of sugary foods and drinks. Sugars and carbs are the main culprits of tooth deterioration, especially if they aren’t removed regularly.

Since the Meth high can last up to 12 hours, that means people go all that time without cleaning their teeth. Addicts will seek more drugs afterward, and the cycle continues.

What Happens if Meth Mouth Goes Untreated?

It’s important to note that your natural teeth aren’t the only ones in danger. Your gums will also suffer, and you’ll experience many gum conditions, inflammation, and even gum recession. This will also cause your teeth to become loose and start falling out.

But what about the dry mouth? Dry mouth is the perfect breeding ground for all kinds of bacteria, especially those that come from the sugary foods and drinks you crave. This bacteria will continue to grow and feed on your oral cavity, and this will result in meth mouth sores or ulcers. These sores can be very painful and uncomfortable, causing you to refrain from eating and drinking.

In the end, meth mouth can result in loss of all teeth and a catastrophic state of your gums. While that may sound scary or irreversible, there’s still a way for you to recover from it.

How to Treat a Meth Mouth

The first thing you should know is that you may not be able to return your smile to its former glory. However, there’s a lot you can do to transform your teeth from decaying to brilliant. The first step you should take is to stop using drugs. Naturally, this will be the most difficult thing to do, but facilities and professionals can help you achieve this. The best possible scenario is quitting while your teeth aren’t completely lost because you have a better chance of restoring your smile.

After you take this important step, it’s time to go to a reputable dentist. They will tell you all about how to treat ulcers, teeth, and gums. Your gums may need to undergo surgical treatment, and some teeth will have to be pulled out. Don’t let that scare you because your dentist will give you beautiful dental veneers that will make you want to smile all the time.

What Types of Dental Veneers Are There?

If you’re lucky enough to be left with some teeth, veneers are the best kind of treatment you can get. These dental veneers don’t require an invasive procedure, except for potential teeth shaving. Since that’s the least you have to worry about, you’ll enjoy the process of getting them. So, what types of dental veneers are there? They include:

  • Porcelain veneers
  • Composite veneers
  • Lumineers
  • Palatal veneers
  • Removable (temporary) veneers

Of course, the procedure of getting veneers may not be invasive, but it can be pretty expensive. That’s why you should be prepared to give some money towards having better teeth. That may sound scary at first, but it’ll be worth it.

Why Does This Kind of Treatment Matter?

Getting dental veneers isn’t all about looking better. Sure, an improved appearance will make you feel better, and you’ll want to smile more. But restoring your oral health matters because you’ll experience less pain and discomfort. Not only that, but you’ll be able to process all kinds of foods much easier than before.

Once you get your smile back, taking care of it is imperative. It may be easy to go back to your old habits, but creating healthy ones is worth it. Your overall physical and mental health will improve because you won’t have to deal with ulcers or gum infections anymore.

Let your new smile be a constant reminder of the battle you’ve fought and came out on the other side. Also, let it remind you that it’s never too late to improve your health. Having a Meth mouth doesn’t need to mean the end. Take necessary steps on time and start smiling once again.