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Date: September 12, 2005
The following document was referenced under
Commissioner Miller's "Report" at the
September 12, 2005 Regular City Commission
Meeting.
"Satan's Blood"
ADA Warns of Methamphetamine's Effect on Oral Health
The ADA wants more den-
tists and patients to under-
stand the devastating effects
the illegal drug metham-
phetamine has on oral health,
a condition known by some
as "meth mouth." Described
by a Minnesota Bureau of
Criminal Apprehension offi-
cial as "Satan's blood," the
drug, in addition to posing
numerous threats to overall
health, exposes users to
rampant tooth decay in a
distinctive pattern on the
smooth front surface of the
teeth and the spaces be-
tween the front teeth.
Methamphetamine users'
teeth have been described as
"blackened, stained, rotting,
crumbling, or falling apart,"
and often the teeth cannot be
saved and must be extracted.
The causes of metham-
phetamine-related tooth de-
cay include the following: (1)
the acidic nature of the drug,
(2) the way the drug reduces
the amount of protective sali-
va around the teeth, (3) the
craving the drug induces for
high-calorie carbonated bev-
erages, (4) the tendency of
users to grind and clench their
teeth, and (5) the long dura-
tion ofthe drug (12 hours ver-
sus 1 hour for cocaine), which
leads to long periods of time
when users are not likely to
brush and floss their teeth.
According to the 2003
National Survey on Drug Use
and Health, 12.3 million
Americans age 12 and older
have tried methamphetamine
at least once in their lifetimes
(5.2% of the population), with
the majority of past-year
users between 18 and 34
years of age. Traffickers have
---- ..."
aggressively targeted rU!:ij1
areas in an effort to escape
law enforcement. and TQost
use is found in the western,
southwestern, and midwest-
ern United States.
Dental professionals who
suspect patients may be using
methamphetamine can (1)
complete a comprehensive
DENTISTRY TODAY . S~;PTEMIlER 2005
Portrait of a Former User
After 5 years of taking meth, Theresa B. says she has
experienced everything but death. She say~ being on
meth is the closest thing to being a zombie, a member
of the living dead.
Indeed, Theresa's 2 mug shots offer what is perhaps
the most dramatic juxtaposition of health and hell. The
first picture was taken in 2002, when she was arrested
for identity theft and fraud. The second was taken 3.5
years later. She has gone through an eye-rubbing meta-
morphosis. Forty pounds lighter. A loose bandage cover-
ing a cyst on her cheek. A road map of deep wrinkles.
She looks nothing like her former self.
She's 42.
"It's scary," Theresa said, sitting inside the
Multnomah County (Oregon) jail. "There are no words to
describe it. I can't stand to look at myself in the mirror."
Serving a 5-month sentence for theft and drug pos-
session, she understands why someone would want to
use her face in a prevention program.
She opened her mouth as she cried. All but the 2
front teeth are missing on top. One is about to fall out. If
it's like the others, she said, it will crumble with a bite of
food.
A former heroin user, Theresa said she began using
meth to escape depression. It was cheaper and better.
And like many addicts, she would take repeated hits,
allowing her to stay up for days.
The longest run? "I remember 14 days, straight
through," she said.
oral examination that in-
cludes taking a thorough den-
tal and medical history, (2)
attempt to educate the pa-
tient about the profound
negative effects the drug can
have on oral health, (3) refer
the patient to such resources
as physicians or drug coun-
seling services, (4) use pre-
ventive measures such as
topical fluorides, and (5)
encourage the patient to
drink water instead of sugar-
containing carbonated bev-
erages.
Also, dental professionals
must be cautious when ad-
ministering local anesthetics,
sedatives, or general anesthe-
sia because of potential drug
interaction.