Meth and Oral Hygeine

[PurpleHenry]

I've been using meth off and on for the past 4 years. Also back in the 90's I was on it a solid year. Everyday. Really tweaked out back then! Then, I quit without a problem. Was just tired for a few days. Had not touched it for over 20 years. Now, when I smoke meth, its usually heavy use everyday and then I might go a month or two without, but I will have some sort of other DOC, like Adderall.

My buddy was a heavy IV heroin addict for about 2 years. Everyday use, about 3 grams a day. Sometimes stretching it to last 2 days. I would occasionally partake in an opiate or heroin binge, but I've already been down that road and vow to never let it get ahold of me again. So I would only do a little every few months. Same with my buddy and meth. He was partial to heroin though. He would get some meth with me every now and again. You get the picture.

Now, he has been on Subutex for 6 mo. but still occasionally will get a gram or two of meth. This last batch we both got seems to be highly acidic. You can feel it in your teeth. Ive done probably 3 times as much as he had, but he calls me up complaining of tooth aches and brown spots all over his teeth. Total meth mouth. He sent me a picture and I was completely shocked. Front teeth were all fucked up at the gumline. A couple back teeth will probably need to be pulled because the gums are receded too far exposing decaying roots. I really couldn't believe it could happen that quick. He said for years he had neglected brushing because he would fade out on H and sleep all the time. Plus, the dry mouth would be a factor. He had complained about the back teeth for a year now, so it was kind of expected. (Thought he went to the dentist like he had mentioned awhile back, but guess not).

So, my question is: I would like to know the effects of oral health from meth use from others. As of now, I have all my teeth and have taken care of them, brushing and flossing twice a day and go to the dentist every six months. I've only smoked and snorted meth. Researching and contrary to what other posts say, IV meth use seems to cause more dental issues than smokers according to a study from JADA. Most meth users neglect their hygiene as well. Im just curious if that is the major factor here? I do way more meth than my buddy, he only smokes it as well, but I practice good oral hygiene.

I know the Heroin probably took a toll on his teeth over the past couple years. Maybe more than meth has done but meth accelerates any decay process. Dry mouth, sugary foods, neglect and the caustic acids of meth break that shit down. I immediately started researching and so far have found that its the Ph level in the mouth. Meth is probably like battery acid at 0. Tooth enamel starts to break down at 5.5 Ph. We have been using baking soda mouth washes after each use and it seems to have neutralized the acidic effects of meth. Has anyone else done this or does anyone have methods they take to prevent meth mouth? Or do most meth users not give a shit? Id like know, because I have put my body through total fucking hell with lots of drugs through the years, and have so far come out bright and shiny. Plus Im in my mid 40's. However, if I find that I cant control the caustic effects, I'll quit once and for all. This is just my own personal experience. Most people Ive associated with who are or were meth addicts did NOT have any teeth after a year or less. I cant be the exception, or will it catch up to me?

 

[4meSM]

The main cause of teeth/oral problems is the decrease in saliva production, this will happen no matter the route of administration. It's at least partly due to vasoconstriction but stimulants may also change the saliva composition, IIRC.
If you combine that with dehydration, bruxism and a lack of oral hygiene you get meth mouth.
Smoking meth might also play a role though, because of the composition of the "smoke" and its caustic nature.

So the way to avoid those problems is by having a good oral hygiene and staying hydrated. There's also drugs that increase the salivary flow, they could be really useful in some cases (not only for meth abuse but also for the famous dry mouth you might get from weed).

 

[Snafu in the Void]

Smoking meth might also play a role though, because of the composition of the "smoke" and its caustic nature.

Yeah, and the cutting agents. I notice after taking a couple dozens of hits in a pipe I get this weird brown residue between my teeth. Good thing I'm in the habit of brushing my teeth everyday. I wouldn't make it as a meth head.

OP: Idk man, sorry. Don't really have any advice. Maybe just take it orally instead of smoking it?

 

[PurpleHenry]

The main cause of teeth/oral problems is the decrease in saliva production, this will happen no matter the route of administration. It's at least partly due to vasoconstriction but stimulants may also change the saliva composition, IIRC.
If you combine that with dehydration, bruxism and a lack of oral hygiene you get meth mouth.
Smoking meth might also play a role though, because of the composition of the "smoke" and its caustic nature.

So the way to avoid those problems is by having a good oral hygiene and staying hydrated. There's also drugs that increase the salivary flow, they could be really useful in some cases (not only for meth abuse but also for the famous dry mouth you might get from weed).

I thought smoking would be worse, but looking at studies done, they concluded intravenous users had more oral problems than smokers. They didn't know if it was because IV users were less hygienic because they typically were the ones who were transients and homeless. At least the participants in these studies were. Im just curious if there are any long term users out there like me who practice regular oral hygiene and don't have any problems. What methods they use to persevere their teeth. Or does it catch up eventually no matter what you do? Or any health issues in general.

You are right about what you mentioned and Im aware of all of it. I don't have a problem with dry mouth, or I'd use biotene. I don't grind my teeth either. The only thing is the vasoconstriction. Which brings me to another point. Dick pills. They are vasodilators and I have combined them with meth use. Probably not good, but I haven't had any issues with it either.

I will say that for some reason, meth Viagra/vasodilators combined with an opiate like Hereon about kills me. I've combined all those a few times and got extremely sick. It took me a few times to determine the opiates were the culprit in that mix. Even if I took a 10mg Percocet within a day of combining the other two, I would get sick.

 

[4meSM]

I thought smoking would be worse, but looking at studies done, they concluded intravenous users had more oral problems than smokers. They didn't know if it was because IV users were less hygienic because they typically were the ones who were transients and homeless. At least the participants in these studies were. Im just curious if there are any long term users out there like me who practice regular oral hygiene and don't have any problems. What methods they use to persevere their teeth. Or does it catch up eventually no matter what you do? Or any health issues in general.

I've seen those studies about IV users getting more oral problems, but yeah I don't know if it's due to their lifestyle or if there's something special about IV meth (like the higher peak plasma) that makes the mouth problems worse.
I get the impression that it's pretty hard to maintain a good oral health as you get older, I think it does catch up to you eventually regardless of your drug use (though I'm still in my 20s so I wouldn't know from personal experience). Though it's pretty clear that smoking tobacco, doing stimulants and eating/drinking sugary foods accelerate this process. There might be a way to prevent it, I would also like to know.

Would be nice if we could get a dentist to chime in and explain the mechanism behind tooth decay and other oral problems.
It is my understanding that it's mostly caused by a few strains of bacteria that grow out of control when the environmental conditions of your mouth allow it (change in pH, amount of saliva, etc...) but I don't know enough about it.

 

[Jabberwocky]

They didn't know if it was because IV users were less hygienic.

The myth that just won’t die. It’s those dirty fuckers with a pipe to their mouth 18 hours a day who have no time to wash.

Personally, I follow the one shot / one shower rule. Usually a nice cold one to wind back the excessive ampage....

 

[Joey]

If you drink plenty of fluids, eat and sleep sometimes instead of hitting and hitting the pipe unnecessarily getting no higher, and practice decent hygiene most of the problems with your teeth and physical appearance will be eliminated. There’s certainly some causation with meth and degrading body and looks, but most is caused with a lack of self care and only correlated to the meth use really. It’s hard to do sometimes, even a lot, but a little bit of self care goes a long way no matter what you’re on.

 

[zpoison]

And brushing 2 times a day is not enough, for me at least. I would recommend to brush them as soon as you have put something inside your mouth, 15 minutes after, but rinse your mouth before brushing them, it will cancel/remove the acid that is present from what you've put in there (everything is acidic for your mouth, fruits sugar anything, so wash it before brushing, warm water preferably)