What is Meth Mouth? Causes, Symptoms, and Risks

There are several potential causes of meth mouth. For example, having bad teeth, eating poorly, and not going to the dentist regularly may contribute to someone developing this symptom; skipping brushing your teeth or eating sweets while using meth may lead to a general lack of hygiene.

In addition, individuals who abuse meth often have bad eating habits and pick out sugary foods and drinks (a practice known as “buzzing”), which may harm dental health. Finally, cavities are exacerbated by meth use and a diet high in sweet foods. Cavities left untreated may cause pain in the gums and teeth and even cause ulcers if they reach the nerves.

Tooth care may also become a low priority if one is trying to keep up with the demands of addiction maintenance. However, the body’s capacity to mend itself is hindered if essential nutrients like vitamin C and iron are lacking in the diet. As a result, sores and abscesses caused by meth mouth don’t get the chance to heal correctly, causing considerable discomfort.

A side effect of meth’s stimulating effects is that it might cause people to grind their teeth.

Meth mouth occurs when someone is high and grinds their teeth, leading to chips. In addition, since meth contains acidic components, it erodes and weakens teeth, making them more susceptible to breaking.

Toxic chemicals, including potassium permanganate, drain cleaner, antifreeze, and lantern fluid, are used to make meth, which is too strong for human ingestion and causes severe damage to the body and the mouth.

Extreme dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a common symptom of meth mouth. This is because the saliva glands are drained by meth use, which increases the number of germs in the mouth and leads to tooth decay. Gum disease is a possible consequence of this.