Signs and Symptoms of Meth Mouth
- Methamphetamine (meth) is a stimulant drug with high addiction potential.
- Users may neglect dental health due to side effects like bruxism and stimulant psychosis.
- Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is a common side effect of stimulant drugs and accelerates tooth decay.
- Methamphetamine is the most discussed illegal drug in dental literature for its impact on dental health.
- Meth mouth is characterised by dark, extensively eroded teeth, primarily on the buccal side.

Causes of Meth Mouth
- Dry mouth, clenching and grinding of teeth, infrequent oral hygiene, and consumption of sugary drinks contribute to meth mouth.
- Methamphetamine's effects on saliva increase the likelihood of dental caries, enamel erosion, and periodontal disease.
- Dehydration and high protein content in saliva may worsen dry mouth sensation.
- Long-term methamphetamine use can lead to parafunctional habits like bruxism, causing tooth wear.
- Failure to pay attention to oral hygiene and excessive sugar intake during binges exacerbate meth mouth symptoms.

Treatment and Uncertainty of Meth Mouth
- Meth mouth damage is mostly irreversible, but early treatment can reduce its severity.
- Access to dental treatment may be limited for drug users due to affordability and poverty.
- Seeking professional advice and dental treatment is crucial for managing meth mouth symptoms.
- Dental treatment for methamphetamine users can be risky due to potential interactions with local anesthetics and opioids.
- Treatment aims to increase saliva flow, halt tooth decay, and promote behavioral changes, including fluoride toothpaste and prescription rinses.
- There have been no controlled studies on meth mouth, and many aspects of the condition remain unclear.
- The legitimacy of meth mouth as a unique condition has been questioned due to similar effects of other drugs on teeth.
- Images of diseased mouths are often used in anti-drug campaigns.
- Meth mouth's progression is slow, possibly due to intermittent hygienic practices.
- The dental effects of methamphetamine use contribute to the appearance of premature aging in some users.

Other Considerations of Meth Mouth
- Methamphetamine users may experience soreness in the jaw joint and dental attrition due to bruxism.
- Chronic use of the drug can cause trismus, the inability to open the jaw.
- The effects of meth mouth are similar to those of Sjögren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease that causes a lack of saliva.
- Speculation that oral consumption of the drug raises mouth acidity and causes tooth decay is unsupported.
- Meth mouth is most severe in users who inject the drug.

Society, Stereotypes, and Related Topics
- Methamphetamine use increased dramatically worldwide in the early 2000s.
- Meth mouth is often widespread in areas where methamphetamine use is common.
- Meth mouth is expensive to treat and strains public health resources.
- Images of meth mouth used in anti-drug campaigns.
- Meth mouth mentioned in media coverage of methamphetamine use and drug abuse portrayals.
- Meth mouth used to negatively stereotype methamphetamine users.
- Some argue that meth mouth is falsely portrayed as inevitable or characteristic.
- Breaking Bad series features characters with meth mouth.
- Creator of Breaking Bad regrets not giving lead character meth mouth.
- Meth mouth used in media to demonstrate the effects of drug abuse and provoke disgust.
- Faces of Meth, a project showcasing the physical effects of methamphetamine use.
- Recreational drug use and its impact on society.
- Opioid epidemic and opioid use disorder.
- References to further explore the topic of meth mouth.
- Bibliography of books and journals related to meth mouth and drug abuse.

Meth mouth (Wikipedia)

Meth mouth is a colloquial term used to describe severe tooth decay and tooth loss, as well as tooth fracture, acid erosion, and other oral problems that are often symptomatic to extended use of the drug methamphetamine. The condition is thought to be caused by a combination of side effects of the drug (clenching and grinding of teeth, dry mouth) and lifestyle factors (infrequent oral hygiene, frequent consumption of sugary drinks, as well as neglecting regular dental cleanings and preventive care), which may be present in long-term users. However, the legitimacy of meth mouth as a unique condition has been questioned because of the similar effects of some other drugs on teeth. Images of diseased mouths are often used in anti-drug campaigns.

Meth mouth
The mouth of a person with symptoms similar to those caused by long-term use of methamphetamine

The condition is difficult to treat, and may involve fillings, fluoride to fight tooth decay and drugs that increase saliva for dry mouth, as well as oral hygiene instruction. It can be dangerous for active methamphetamine users to undergo dental surgery because of the cardiac problems that can result from the interaction of local anesthetic with the drug.