The popular and compelling television show "Breaking Bad" is coming to a close. Since there is so much talk of the show and its main focus - the drug methamphetamine, I figured the timing was right to discuss the other side of the story.
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant drug similar to cocaine. It's effect on the brain is instant and profound. Addiction rates are high to those that use it. Many users claim they became addicted the first time they tried the drug.
It destroys the lives of the user, the families, the communities, the environment, and the properties (houses, apartments and hotel rooms) where the users partake.
Advocacy entities such as the Meth Project have developed broad reaching prevention plans that have been extremely successful. Their tagline "Not Even Once", their penetration into the communities, their television and radio ads send powerful messages that have worked in preventing a potential user from making the choice to use. Please support this amazing organization. Meth Project (http://www.methproject.org/)
Addiction (to any drug, including methamphetamine) is a treatable disease. There are many local resources. If you are struggling with addiction or know someone that is, please take action.
A great treatment resource is SAMSHA. This is a government organization whose mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities. (Samsha)
As a dentist, I have seen my fair share of "meth mouth". It is a phenomena that is illustrated by massive destruction of teeth. It is usually caused by the smoking of the drug. The ingredients that are used in the manufacturing of the drug (muriatic acid, battery acid, drano, psuedophedrine, phosphorous, lye, drano, etc.) literally melt the teeth away when they come into contact with the smoke. It happens quickly (usually within a few months) and the damage is irreversible.
It is very difficult to do traditional cosmetic dentistry (such as veneers) on teeth that present in this way. Usually full mouth extraction and dentures are required to give these patients the ability to function and to look presentable once again.
In my experience, dentists can really make a difference in the lives of these patients. Once sober and motivated, re-creating the smile is very impactful to early recovery, self esteem, and the integration back into being productive members of our communities.
If you are someone with a history of substance abuse, I have a great deal of experience treating dental patients with this problem once the addiction is treated and arrested. I congratulate you on your recovery. Please take note that I am not a free clinic and do not have resources to give away free dentistry to you. I love the impact that cosmetic dentistry has on the lives of my patients. This type of work is very difficult and it comes with a cost to maintain the viability of my business. If you are interested in becoming part of our community of patients, I would be happy to treat you as a regular paying client.
If you like this blog post, I would love to hear about it. Please comment or share it on Google+, Facebook, Linked in, Twitter, etc. If you are looking for a dentist in the Denver area, we are always looking for new patients. Please visit our website http://www.tcdodenver.com/ or like our facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/TCDOdenver. Or you can do it the old fashion way - call us at 303-321-4445.
Thanks for reading!
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant drug similar to cocaine. It's effect on the brain is instant and profound. Addiction rates are high to those that use it. Many users claim they became addicted the first time they tried the drug.
It destroys the lives of the user, the families, the communities, the environment, and the properties (houses, apartments and hotel rooms) where the users partake.
Advocacy entities such as the Meth Project have developed broad reaching prevention plans that have been extremely successful. Their tagline "Not Even Once", their penetration into the communities, their television and radio ads send powerful messages that have worked in preventing a potential user from making the choice to use. Please support this amazing organization. Meth Project (http://www.methproject.org/)
Addiction (to any drug, including methamphetamine) is a treatable disease. There are many local resources. If you are struggling with addiction or know someone that is, please take action.
The end result of untreated addiction is death.
A great treatment resource is SAMSHA. This is a government organization whose mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities. (Samsha)
As a dentist, I have seen my fair share of "meth mouth". It is a phenomena that is illustrated by massive destruction of teeth. It is usually caused by the smoking of the drug. The ingredients that are used in the manufacturing of the drug (muriatic acid, battery acid, drano, psuedophedrine, phosphorous, lye, drano, etc.) literally melt the teeth away when they come into contact with the smoke. It happens quickly (usually within a few months) and the damage is irreversible.
 |
| Figure 1- Close up of "meth mouth" |
It is very difficult to do traditional cosmetic dentistry (such as veneers) on teeth that present in this way. Usually full mouth extraction and dentures are required to give these patients the ability to function and to look presentable once again.
In my experience, dentists can really make a difference in the lives of these patients. Once sober and motivated, re-creating the smile is very impactful to early recovery, self esteem, and the integration back into being productive members of our communities.
 |
Figure 2- Before and after of the same patient who had meth mouth Full mouth extraction and dentures were fabricated. |
Walter White and the entire cast of "Breaking Bad" have made for engaging television, but the brutal reality of meth addiction is virtually invisible on the show. Fans of the show have a connection to Walter, Jesse, their families and those close to them. When I take a moment to reflect on the other (real) side of this drama, it is hard not to think of those patients and their families I've treated in the past.
Meth is a Bad Drug...
If you like this blog post, I would love to hear about it. Please comment or share it on Google+, Facebook, Linked in, Twitter, etc. If you are looking for a dentist in the Denver area, we are always looking for new patients. Please visit our website http://www.tcdodenver.com/ or like our facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/TCDOdenver. Or you can do it the old fashion way - call us at 303-321-4445.
Thanks for reading!
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