The American Dental Association wants more dentists and patients to understand the devastating effects the illegal drug methamphetamine has on oral health, a condition known by some as "meth mouth."

In addition to numerous threats to overall health, methamphetamine users risk rampant tooth decay in a distinctive pattern on the smooth front surface of the teeth and the spaces between the front teeth, the ADA reports on its Web site.

Methamphetamine users’ teeth have been described as "blackened, stained, rotting, crumbling or falling apart." Often, the teeth cannot be saved and must be extracted.

The causes of methamphetamine-related tooth decay include:

• the acidic nature of the drug,
• the way the drug reduces the amount of protective saliva around the teeth,
• the craving the drug induces for high calorie carbonated beverages,
• the tendency of users to grind and clench their teeth, and
• the long duration of the drug (12 hours versus one hour for cocaine), which leads to long periods of time when users are not likely to brush and floss their teeth.

Methamphetamine is a cheap, easy-to-make illicit drug. It’s known by several street names: Meth, Speed, Ice, Chalk, Crank, Fire, Glass, and Crystal. It is highly addictive and its use is on the rise in the U.S. even though it produces devastating effects on users’ health.

Methamphetamine is a potent central nervous system stimulant that can cause shortness of breath, hyperthermia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heart beat, high blood pressure, permanent brain damage and rampant tooth decay. Some users describe their teeth as “blackened, stained, rotting, crumbling or falling apart.” Often, the teeth cannot be salvaged and must be extracted.

The extensive tooth decay is attributed to the drug’s acidic nature and its tendency to dry mouth tissues. A methamphetamine “high” lasts much longer than that produced by crack cocaine (12 hours versus one hour for cocaine). This can lead to long periods of poor oral hygiene. And while they are high, users often crave high-calorie, carbonated, sugary beverages or they may grind or clench their teeth, all of which can harm teeth.

Heavy users may appear malnourished because methamphetamine acts as an appetite suppressant.

Information provided by the ADA.