Severe Dental Disease in Substance Use Disorders

(Psychology Today) 

Key points

• Methamphetamine use is strongly associated with very poor oral health, commonly called “meth mouth."
• Cocaine has similar effects: cavities, tooth injuries, bad breath, and gum disease.
• Cocaine and meth cause dry mouth, reducing saliva’s ability to buffer acid and dilute carbohydrates.

Severe dental disease is common among people addicted to methamphetamine and cocaine, as is tooth loss, complicating treatment and recovery. Oral health is often entirely overlooked by individuals addicted to drugs. Yet many illicit drugs directly alter the balance of hormones and neurotransmitters regulating salivary flow, leading to dry mouth, cavities, and oral infections. Most people admitted to treatment programs for substance use disorders (SUDs) haven’t seen a dentist for years—and still won’t see one.

As drug use worsens, finding and using substances become all-consuming, often leading to poor nutritional choices. Junk food contributes to dental decay and gum disease.

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