"Meth mouth" is an informal name for advanced tooth decay attributed to heavy methamphetamine

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs...

 use. According to the American Dental Association

American Dental Association

The American Dental Association is an American professional association established in 1859 which has more than 155,000 members. Based in Chicago, the ADA is the world's largest and oldest national dental association and promotes good oral health to the public while representing the dental...

, meth mouth "is probably caused by a combination of drug-induced psychological and physiological changes resulting in xerostomia

Xerostomia

Xerostomia is the medical term for the subjective complaint of dry mouth due to a lack of saliva. Xerostomia is sometimes colloquially called pasties, cottonmouth, drooth, or doughmouth. Several diseases, treatments, and medications can cause xerostomia. It can also be exacerbated by smoking or...

 (dry mouth), extended periods of poor oral hygiene

Oral hygiene

Teeth cleaning is part of oral hygiene and involves the removal of dental plaque from teeth with the intention of preventing cavities , gingivitis, and periodontal disease. People routinely clean their own teeth by brushing and interdental cleaning, and dental hygienists can remove hardened...

, increased consumption of sugared soft drinks, and teeth clenching and grinding (bruxism

Bruxism

Bruxism is characterized by the grinding of the teeth and typically includes the clenching of the jaw. It is an oral parafunctional activity that occurs in most humans at some time in their lives. In most people, bruxism is mild enough not to be a health problem...

)."

"Meth mouth" characteristics include:

• Bruxism
  Bruxism
  Bruxism is characterized by the grinding of the teeth and typically includes the clenching of the jaw. It is an oral parafunctional activity that occurs in most humans at some time in their lives. In most people, bruxism is mild enough not to be a health problem...
  
   (teeth clenching and grinding): Methamphetamine induces bruxism, leading to the wear and cracks of tooth enamel
  Tooth enamel
  Tooth enamel, along with dentin, cementum, and dental pulp is one of the four major tissues that make up the tooth in vertebrates. It is the hardest and most highly mineralized substance in the human body. Tooth enamel is also found in the dermal denticles of sharks...
  
  .
• Oral hygiene
  Oral hygiene
  Teeth cleaning is part of oral hygiene and involves the removal of dental plaque from teeth with the intention of preventing cavities , gingivitis, and periodontal disease. People routinely clean their own teeth by brushing and interdental cleaning, and dental hygienists can remove hardened...
  
   neglect: Methamphetamine users often neglect oral hygiene.
• Hyposalivation (dry mouth): A lack of saliva's natural protective effects directly leads to increased tooth decay, particularly at the gum line.

Some have contended that "meth mouth" is not due to methamphetamine being acidic or corrosive but the Pennsylvania Dental Association maintains that "the acidic ingredients of methamphetamine can damage teeth.". Meth mouth has been observed in people who abuse

Abuse

Abuse is the improper usage or treatment for a bad purpose, often to unfairly or improperly gain benefit. Abuse can come in many forms, such as: physical or verbal maltreatment, injury, sexual assault, violation, rape, unjust practices; wrongful practice or custom; offense; crime, or otherwise...

 pharmaceutical grade methamphetamine as well. It is most likely due to common characteristics of heavy methamphetamine use.

Despite the name "meth mouth", similarly accelerated tooth decay can be caused by the abuse

Abuse

Abuse is the improper usage or treatment for a bad purpose, often to unfairly or improperly gain benefit. Abuse can come in many forms, such as: physical or verbal maltreatment, injury, sexual assault, violation, rape, unjust practices; wrongful practice or custom; offense; crime, or otherwise...

 of other stimulants with similar actions, such as amphetamines, cocaine

Cocaine

Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...

 and methylphenidate

Methylphenidate

Methylphenidate is a psychostimulant drug approved for treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and narcolepsy. It may also be prescribed for off-label use in treatment-resistant cases of lethargy, depression, neural insult and obesity...

.

External links

• NPR transcript: 'Meth Mouth' Strains Prison Health-Care Budgets