A patient who abuses methamphetamines may develop a number of oral and dental changes over time. These are affected by the severity of the addiction, drug sources, practices during drug use, and personal support system.
Finding
Cause
caries and missing teeth
high sugar intake from soft drinks, poor dental hygiene
periodontitis and gingivitis
poor dental hygiene
dental erosions and abrasions
bruxism, acid in soft drinks
temporomandibular joint dysfunction
severe bruxism and clenching
bilateral masseter muscle hypertrophy
severe bruxism and clenching
angular cheilitis and glossodynia, muscle wasting
malnutrition
xerostomia
methamphetamine effect, HCV, AIDS
thermal and chemical burns
flammable solvents used in synthesis; residual chemicals from synthesis
oral infections (thrush, HSV, syphilis, other)
HIV, sexually transmitted disease
broken teeth, bruising
traumatic injury
The presence of one or more of these findings should alert the clinician to the possibility of an underlying abuse problem.
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