Substance Use and Abuse
Drugs and alcohol have both total body and oral health consequences.
Nicotine causes vasoconstriction of vessels in the mouth.
Tobacco users are prone to:
- Lung and oral cancer
- Periodontal disease (even among teenage smokers)
Alcohol users can develop:
- Oral cancer (synergistic with tobacco)
- Poor hygiene and resultant caries or periodontal disease
Marijuana:
- Periodontitis
- Leukoplakia
Methamphetamines:
- Bruxism
- Decreased saliva production
- Poor hygiene
- Rampant Caries (e.g., meth mouth)
Cocaine:
- Increased decayed and missing teeth
"Meth Mouth"
Red/White Leukoplakia
Oral Cancer
References
Heikkinen AM, Pajukanta R, Pitka¨niemi, J, Broms U, Sorsa T, Koskenvuo M, Meurman JH. The Effect of Smoking on Periodontal Health of 15- to 16-Year-Old Adolescents. J Periodontol 2008; 79:2042-2047.
Majchrzak E, Szybiak B, Wegner A, et al. Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Young Adults: A Review of the Literature. Radiology and Oncology. 2014. 48(1): 1–10.
Meier MH, Caspi A, Cerdá M, et al. Associations Between Cannabis Use and Physical Health Problems in Early Midlife. JAMA Psychiatry. 2016; 73(7): 731-740.
Cury PR, Oliveira MG, de Andrade KM, et al. Dental Health Status in Crack/Cocaine Addicted Men; A Cross Sectional Study Env Sci Pollution Res. 2017; 24(8):7585-90.
Stanciu CN1, Glass M, Muzyka BC, Glass OM. "Meth Mouth": An Interdisciplinary Review of a Dental and Psychiatric Condition. J Addict Med 2017; 11(4):250-255.