Tooth Decay Research Paper

Of the many issues that can develop from chronic drug and alcohol abuse, oral health issues are some of the most apparent. From tooth decay to gum disease and the complete loss of teeth, many different oral health problems are common in people who regularly use illicit drugs and frequently consume alcohol.
Tooth decay is a common problem that arises from frequent alcohol consumption—in both alcoholics and those whom indulge in binge drinking. This is because many alcoholic drinks are high in sugar which demineralizes and weakens tooth enamel. The risk may be slightly higher in cases of binge drinking because of the amount of alcohol consumed mixed with the likeliness of vomiting from drinking often leads to high levels of acid to build up in the mouth. Since binge drinking can often lead to a person passing out, they are unlikely to brush their teeth before going to sleep, so these levels of acid are often present for the entire night.
Heroin use is also associated with numerous oral health issues. Many long-term heroin users experience gum disease and teeth falling out or crumbling. This is mainly due to a lack of oral hygiene from either not caring about their oral health or not being able to afford health care. Tooth decay is also a common problem among
Methamphetamine causes the saliva glands to stop producing the saliva that helps to disperse the acid in the mouth so that it doesn’t linger around and eat away at the gums and tooth enamel. Next, methamphetamine can cause the user to grind their teeth frequently, also, while on a methamphetamine binge, many users forgo brushing their teeth for days at a time. Finally, methamphetamine is made with corrosive chemicals and when the drug is smoked or snorted; those chemicals are exposed to the user’s mouth causing sores and tooth