Oral health assessment for users of marijuana and cocaine/crack substances

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the oral health status of users of illicit drugs such as marijuana and cocaine/crack and compare it with individuals not using these chemical substances.Questionnaires were applied to 35 illicit drugs users to gather information on demographic status, general health, and use of drugs. Then, a clinical assessment of the oral health condition was performed to collect data on decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index, salivary flow rate (SFR), and mucosal lesions. The control group was composed of 35 non-illicit drug users. In the experimental group, 91.43% were males, 80% were smokers, and 42.85% were alcoholics. Cocaine was the most common drug used (77.15%), followed by marijuana (68.6%), and crack (51.4%). The average DMFT index was 9.8 and the SFR was reduced in 60% of subjects. Mucosal alterations were detected, but no potentially malignant disorders or oral cancer were diagnosed. Compared to control group, significantly higher values for gender (40%, p = 0.0001), smoking (22.86%) and heavy drinking (5.7%) habits (p = 0.0001), SFR (31.4%; p = 0.0308), and oral lesions (p = 0.0488) were found for the experimental group, although significantly higher values were found in the control group for DMFT index (p = 0.0148). It can be concluded that the use of illicit drugs contributed to an increased prevalence of oral mucosa lesions. In addition, a decline on SFR and a reduced DMFT index was observed for illicit drug users.

Oral manifestations in drug users: A review

“…Moreover, the results of authors Mateos Moreno et al (1) coincide with those found in the study by Gigena et al (13), demonstrating a prevalence of rampant caries in users of cannabis and other drugs, with 23.9% of radicular affectation, a higher DMFT value in the group substance abusers with respect to the control group that did not use any psychotropic substances. The study of Sordi et al (14) gave different results on the DMFT index. As analyzed by these authors, the index was lower in the group of cannabis and cocaine users than in the control group of individuals without any drug addiction, the prevalence of caries and missing teeth was higher in the group of cannabis and cocaine users but the number of filled teeth was higher in the control group.…”

“…As analyzed by these authors, the index was lower in the group of cannabis and cocaine users than in the control group of individuals without any drug addiction, the prevalence of caries and missing teeth was higher in the group of cannabis and cocaine users but the number of filled teeth was higher in the control group. this could be a consequence of higher access to dental treatment by the control group (14). They also observed a higher prevalence of lesions in the oral mucosa in individuals who used cannabis: stomatitis, candidiasis, keratosis by friction, loss of the papillae of the tongue and obvious signs of poor post-exodontia healing (14).…”

“…They (1) also recorded xerostomia in 64% of consuming patients. According to a study by Sordi et al (14) they also observed a decrease in salivary flow, although they emphasize that determining the real cause of this disorder in this type of patients is complicated as they are polydrug users (1,14). Mateos Moreno et al (1) also detected a reduction in the buffer capacity of saliva in the drug users analyzed and an increase of Streptococcus Mutans and Lactobacillus in the saliva of individuals addicted to substances.…”

“…this could be a consequence of higher access to dental treatment by the control group (14). They also observed a higher prevalence of lesions in the oral mucosa in individuals who used cannabis: stomatitis, candidiasis, keratosis by friction, loss of the papillae of the tongue and obvious signs of poor post-exodontia healing (14). Mateos Morenos et al (1) detected the presence of candidiasis in 78.8% of the addicted individuals, 10.9% had angular cheilitis, 9.4% ulcers in the oral mucosa and 4.8% had leukoplakia and mucositis and 1.6% papillomas.…”

Condições de saúde bucal de usuários de crack:um problema de saúde pública

“…O uso de drogas ilícitas como o crack também acarreta em uma maior prevalência de lesóes na mucosa oral, uma menor taxa de fluxo salivar, além de uma maior experiência de cárie e elevado número de dentes perdidos 12,13 .…”