32 Reasons

The Devastation of METH MOUTH

Presented by MITCHTV.NET

to NOT do Meth:

“Meth Mouth” is becoming more and more prevalent in current and former users of

this extremely addictive drug. 

Teeth decay rapidly, causing the destruction known as

“Meth Mouth.” 

It is the culmination of years of crystal methamphetamine

use.

Meet Stacy.

She is just 20 years old…

Persons using crystal meth, tweeking for days at a time, will often stay awake and high for

five to thirty days. 

During this period, the acrid smoke, decreased saliva flow,

poor hygiene, lack of dental care, and those extended periods of continuous activity and sleep take their toll on the user’s

teeth.

Here is Kris.

He started using at 13 years old and quit around

the age of 21.

Teeth decalcify due to the highly acidic, moist, dark,

environment, a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and thereby, dental decay. 

In “Meth Mouth,” teeth develop decay along the

gumline, called cervical caries, which weaken the tooth

structure. 

Cervical Caries

    In the early stages of meth mouth, dentists may notice cervical (gumline) cavities

and sometimes interproximal caries (cavities

between teeth).

Teachers or parents will see these cavities as dark spots between the front teeth, a

telltale sign of tooth decay. 

 

As crystal meth use continues, so does the degradation of the enamel,

as it is exposed over and over to physical and chemical insults. 

Even if the individual discontinues the use of methamphetamines, the

enamel has been weakened and teeth are more susceptible to tooth decay.

Kris is still in the process of

getting ALL his teeth removed.

By age 25, no natural teeth will

remain.

Decades of abuse.

Let’s take a closer look into

Ralph’s mouth.

 

    Many crystal meth users are unable to hold jobs as they have no short term memory, making it

hard for them to learn new procedures, they are unreliable,

jittery, and paranoid. 

Additionally, severe decay in their teeth, especially their front teeth

where the smoke from crank touches the mouth first, is readily

apparent when they speak; a 'flashing red light' of sorts, to any

prospective employers.

Patients will, unable to tolerate the pain and

unable to locate a dentist willing to work

for free, lance abscesses themselves or extract teeth with needle nose pliers. 

"I can't stand the pain...

Can you save my teeth?" The destruction is

deep to the core.

THE NET RESULT OF METH MOUTH

=

Dentures. WARNING: The next image shows blood.

Ralph’s X-Rays can show the devastation deep to the root and make a clear visual that teeth are

being literally eaten away.

We cannot forget that “Meth Mouth” is only one of many results of the use of crystal

meth. 

Organ systems affected result in heart failure, strokes, liver failure and loss of memory at

extremely young ages, often in patients as young as 22. 

“Meth Mouth” is only a visible sign. 

This is Laurie.

Close in age to Ralph, Laurie’s mouth shows the telltale signs of

rampant crystal methamphetamine use.

Healthy teeth

do NOT look like this!

Teeth look as though they have been dipped in

battery acid and, in a way, they have. 

The coronal portion of the teeth will decay to the gum line, abscess, and become non-restorable as no tooth structure remains above

the bone line. 

Often, the gingiva will grow over the remaining

stumps of roots and extractions become

extremely difficult, as teeth have been reduced to extremely soft mush by

crystal meth use. 

 

Larry is 25…

…and on the fast track to

dentures.

The adult dentition has 32 teeth, 32 reasons to never do

crystal meth!

In as little as 4 years they can be reduced to

rubble.

These are the

consequences of using CRYSTAL

METH.

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We need to keep our kids off meth!

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