Meth mouth: Ugly legacy of drug is taxing Utah jail, prison medical budgets

In a writing titled "A highly addictive substance that rots the teeth," authors at www.dentistry.about.com warn health-care professionals to be on the alert for symptoms of drug use or for patients who are high when they come in for dental work.

There are differing opinions about what causes meth mouth.

Some dentists say the acid in the drug eats away the teeth. Others say it's meth addicts' huge consumption of sugar-laden soda to alleviate dry mouth.

The pseudoephedrine in meth slows saliva production, Anderson says. Saliva naturally neutralizes acids and clears food from the teeth.

Decreased saliva flow allows bacteria to build up 10 times over normal levels. Without it, acids can erode tooth enamel, which in turn causes cavities.

Tooth decay is the No. 1 long-term effect in meth users. They are malnourished as a result of their methamphetamine use. They also have what's called long-term unsustainable metabolism. They are running on such a high — they are so stimulated, so hypermetabolic, there is poor circulation to the teeth.

That, coupled with damage to blood vessels, leads to damage and gray and black teeth from lack of circulation and toxic compounds.

The corrosive ingredients in meth — such as battery acid and red phosphorus — don't seem to eat away enamel as much as the dentin layer beneath it, Anderson says.

"It triples the speed of decay," he said. "It gets very aggressive with gum-line cavities."

So aggressive that pulling the tooth — or often teeth — is the only option.

Poor oral hygiene and neglect also might be a factor in tooth decay.

Some patients don't care for their teeth at all, while others overzealously and excessively brush, Anderson says. Many also grind their teeth.

"It isn't so much the decay to the enamel but teeth breaking off," he said.

Anderson said he runs into a lot of abscesses and more "stubble" than teeth.

"You just shuck them out as fast as you can due to the infection in there," he said.

---

Nick Hohlios, 21.

He started smoking meth at 16 and is serving one year in a county jail for meth possession.

Telltale "meth mouth" cavities start at the gum line of his lower teeth.

"That's why I'm here," Hohlios said from the dentist's chair, "to get them fixed."

"I don't want to have bad teeth."

---

Tippetts, the 23-year-old meth user, doesn't let people see her laugh or grin. She is too self-conscious and embarrassed about what meth has done to her once beautiful smile.

"I cover my mouth up a lot. I try not to smile. I don't talk much anymore," she said.