We all know that drug addiction can be detrimental to nearly all aspects of your physical and mental health. However, one side effect of frequent drug use that may not immediately come to mind is the decrease in drug users’ dental health.
One of the significant ways in which drug use can impact your dental health is by causing dry mouth. Dry mouth speeds up the rate at which your teeth decay. Your saliva is essential to keeping your mouth healthy. It keeps bacteria from running rampant in your mouth, thus preventing excessive decay. It washes away food particles that may otherwise stay stuck to teeth. It can also neutralize acid that can cause your teeth to decay more quickly.
Sometimes, people who are experiencing dry mouth will turn to sugary drinks to alleviate the discomfort from this condition. With the high sugar content of the drinks they are consuming, a person who is abusing drugs will increase their tooth decay rate even more.
Beyond the occurrence of dry mouth, any illegal drug that is smoked or taken orally can be damaging to someone’s mouth. The chemicals from drugs can erode someone’s teeth with continued use. Gums can also experience chemical burns and ulcerations if someone is abusing drugs. In the most extreme cases, this ulceration can even lead to exposed bone.
Another issue that drug addicts might experience is teeth grinding and jaw clenching. In minor cases, this will not cause immediate damage to your teeth. However, if it is severe enough, people can suffer from tooth decay and sensitivity. It may also cause facial pain for the victims of this particular side effect.
Even the most basic of issues with dental health can affect someone who is addicted to drugs. As someone becomes more addicted to drugs, their number one priority will not be proper dental care. The lapse in their oral hygiene can also contribute to tooth decay.
If you are addicted to drugs or alcohol, you can address your oral hygiene issues. But the number one issue that you should address is your addiction. If you want to improve all aspects of your health, Asana Recovery is here to help. We understand the different ways that addiction can affect your overall health. This experience in helping others who suffer from addiction helps up to pave the way to your recovery. With the support of those who are experts in recovery, we can help you through this challenging journey.
Asana Recovery uses supervised detoxification and residential treatment programs to ensure that we do all that we can to lead you to a healthier life. Our program is offered in a supportive, relaxing, and inspiring environment. This will work to help you develop and learn the tools you will need to live a drug-free life in the future. Call us at (949) 438-4504 to learn more about how we can help you beat your addiction. We are available at any time to talk about your options to treat your addiction.
