Methamphetamine use is pervasive, its manufacture is easy, and its users are not limited to specific demographics. The appearance of a young patient with rampant decay may be a sign that the person uses methamphetamine. Destruction of the dentition is a common side effect. Methamphetamine is cooked into crystals and is manufactured from fertilizer, battery acid, hydrogen peroxide, and over-the-counter cold medicines. The process of cooking the drug can scatter airborne particles over floors, counters, etc, where children and pets crawl and walk. Users may inject, smoke, or inhale the drug, and addiction is reportedly almost immediate.
Destruction of the dentition occurs due to the acidity of the substance itself, the craving for sweets, and an increased consumption of soda (sometimes 4 or 5 2-liter bottles daily). Patients who use methamphetamine should not be administered local anesthetics with vasoconstrictors, as the elevation in blood pressure can cause cardiac arrest or stroke. Users of the drug may be restless, have tremors, appear confused, talk rapidly, and are apprehensive and paranoid. Methamphetamine use interferes with sleeping, eating, and personal hygiene. Patients appear with teeth darker than normal for their age and may indicate xerostomia. Decay is deep and severe. Dental professionals should be aware of patients who exhibit these symptoms.
(Source: Dental Abstracts, Volume 50, Issue 6, 2005)
