Pubdate: Tue, 02 May 2006 Source: College Heights Herald (KY Edu) Copyright: 2006 College Heights Herald Contact: http://www.wkuherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2822 Note: also listed as LTE contact Author: Erica Hardy Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) 'METH MOUTH' IS SIGN OF ABUSE Hockey players are often stereotyped as having a few teeth missing, but meth users are more likely to have this dental problem. "Meth mouth" results in serious destruction caused by the harsh components in methamphetamine and users quickly abandoning oral hygiene. Some of the main ingredients used in the production of meth, such as lithium and muriatic and sulfuric acids, are extremely corrosive. Meth awareness and prevention Web sites report that when a person smokes meth, those substances heat up because of vaporization and the skin inside the mouth gets irritated and burned. This creates sores. A meth user's lack of attention to personal hygiene allows for infections in these sores. Louisville-based oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. James Strull said other side effects of 'meth mouth' are gum disease, cracked teeth, dry mouth and tooth decay. Strull said gum disease is a result of meth causing the vessels that supply blood to oral tissues to shrink. Because the blood supply is reduced, the tissues break down. This continuous process disables the vessels from recovery, causing them to die. Strull said cracked teeth are a symptom directly related to the drug's effect on the nervous system. Meth users often feel anxious or nervous during their "high," causing them to clinch and grind their teeth. This forms cracks, he said. Also over time, the effects of the vapor caused by the heating of the meth ingredients cause tooth enamel to decay and teeth frequently rot all the way to the gum line, he said. "The only option 'meth mouth' patients have are implants or false teeth," Strull said. "But it is such a bad physical addiction that most of them simply can't take care of themselves. We only offer these options to those who have been clean for a relatively long time and those who have made a serious commitment to improving their life and their teeth." Another side effect of using meth is commonly called the "sweet tooth." Dr. Kris Krawiec, a private practitioner from Louisville, said meth users yearn for caffeine and sugar. Mostly, they turn to liquids for their fix. This makes teeth become very soft and decay into small black nubs, he said. Dentists throughout the country have become more aware of the destructiveness of meth on the mouth. Most dental schools now offer continuing education courses licensed practitioners must take. "This has certainly become a big issue," Krawiec said. "In my career, I have gone from being oblivious to the devastation of the drug to understanding that I must learn how to handle 'meth mouth' because it is becoming an epidemic." Erica Hardy is a junior broadcasting major from Shepherdsville. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman