HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) A correction has been published Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Donaldson, M. Articles by Goodchild, J. H. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Donaldson, M. Articles by Goodchild, J. H.

MARK DONALDSON, PHARM.D., is Director of Pharmacy Services, Kalispell Regional Medical Center, Whitefish, MT, and Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Dentistry, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland. JASON H. GOODCHILD, D.MD., is Assistant Professor and Director, Division of Oral Diagnosis, New Jersey Dental School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, and Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

Address correspondence to Dr. Donaldson at Pharmacy Services, Kalispell Regional Medical Center, 310 Sunnyview Lane, Kalispell, MT 59901 (mdonaldson{at}krmc.org).

Purpose. The pharmacology of methamphetamine is reviewed, and the effects of methamphetamine use on oral health are described. Summary. Methamphetamine is a highly addictive amphetamine analogue, initially synthesized in 1919. Illicit methamphetamine use leads to devastating effects on health, particularly the dentition. Illegal production of methamphetamine has skyrocketed in recent years, as have the number of users. The chief complaint of methamphetamine users is xerostomia. Without the protective effects of saliva, caries development in these patients is rampant. The typical pattern of decay involves the facial and cervical areas of both the maxillary and mandibular teeth, with eventual progression to frank coronal involvement. The acidic substances used to manufacture this drug have also been implicated as a cause of tooth decay and wear in users, as has bruxism as a result of drug-induced hyperactivity. When possible, these patients should be referred to a dentist to improve their oral health status and minimize the potential for adverse cardiovascular sequelae. Other preventive measures for methamphetamine users include stimulating saliva flow and increasing fluoride supplementation. Pharmacists should also counsel users to avoid carbohydrate-rich soft drinks in favor of water. Oral moisturizers may also be effective. Conclusion. Methamphetamine use causes xerostomia secondary to sympathetic central nervous system activation, rampant caries caused by high-sugar intake in the absence of protective saliva, and bruxism as a result of hyperactivity. Practitioners should know how to recognize the signs of and manage the oral health of patients with a history of methamphetamine use. Index terms: Drug abuse; Fluorides; Mechanism of action; Methamphetamine; Mouth diseases; Oral health; Patient information; Pharmacists; Toxicity

 

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. A. Morio, T. A. Marshall, F. Qian, and T. A. Morgan Comparing diet, oral hygiene and caries status of adult methamphetamine users and nonusers: A pilot study J Am Dent Assoc, February 1, 2008; 139(2): 171 - 176. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]