Oral Effects of Drug Abuse

Abstract

Drug abuse is a major problem in the U.S. and most other countries of the world today. Many studies, surveys, and case reports have described the adverse social and medical effects of drug abuse; yet surprisingly little is known about the specific effects of many of these drugs in the oral cavity. This article reviews the current state of knowledge concerning the systemic and oral effects of drugs of abuse and the dental management of addicted patients.

Impact of Opioid Use on Dentistry

“…[25][26][27] There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that this high prevalence of caries is due to a complex, dynamic relationship between multiple factors. General personal neglect combined with a shortage of money may lead an opioid user to consume a diet made up largely of convenience foods high in simple sugars.…”

“…Accordingly, help may be sought only for extreme pain, which may account for the observed high prevalence of dental caries when addicts first present to a dentist. 25,27 Periodontal disease is also frequently seen in drug dependents. The pattern is typically one of adult periodontitis, although acute necrotizing gingivitis has also been reported.…”

Dental health and access to dental treatment: a comparison of drug users and non-drug users attending community pharmacies

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] The misuse of opiates is associated with a high rate of caries and periodontal disease and is greater than that seen in the general population. 1 A high incidence of dental caries was identified in a group of 86 women attending a methadone maintenance clinic in Sydney, Australia.…”

Ecstasy related periodontitis and mucosal ulceration – a case report

“…1 MDMA was first synthesized in 1914 for use in chemical warfare, however it was not used therapeutically until the early 1970s when psychologists used it as a facilitating agent for psychotherapy. 2 It is now a class A listed drug under the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act.…”

“…1 The oral effects of MDMA are a manifestation of the systemic effects of the drug. Documented oral manifestations of MDMA use are summarised in Table 2.…”