Posted on 12/10/2003 6:09:55 AM PST by chance33_98
Drugs' Toll on Teeth is Just the Start; Heavy Drinking, Drug Abuse Present Health Complications for Dental Treatment
12/10/03 8:30:00 AM
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To: National Desk, Health Reporter
Contact: Susan Urbanczyk, 312-440-4308 or susanu@agd.org, or Jennifer Starkey, 312-440-4341 or jennifers@agd.org, both of the Academy of General Dentistry
CHICAGO, Dec. 10 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Patients shouldn't be offended if their dentist asks if they recently smoked pot, snorted cocaine or took a hit of ecstasy; if they have a history of drug abuse; or if they are a recovering alcoholic.
Honest answers to these questions provide crucial information that could affect the way dentists provide care, according to an article in the December 2003 issue of AGD Impact, the newsmagazine of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).
"Drug abuse has many serious implications for dental care," warns AGD spokesperson Eric Curtis, DDS.
For example, cocaine, methamphetamine and ecstasy can have dangerous interactions with anesthetics commonly used in dentistry. These interactions could cause major hypertensive episodes or other health problems. Heavy drinkers could have liver problems that could make it dangerous to use acetaminophen, a common over-the-counter pain reliever.
Another concern for dentists is the potential abuse of narcotic pain relievers, which a dentist may prescribe a patient following dental surgery. The abuse of prescription drugs has received a lot of press lately as a growing problem for people from varied backgrounds, including, most recently, the conservative radio personality Rush Limbaugh.
Prescription pills are the second most popular category of recreational drugs, after marijuana. Alcohol remains the most abused substance overall. In a 2002 survey, 22 million Americans reported abusing drugs or alcohol. Of these, an estimated 6.2 million people abused prescription drugs, with more than 4 million abusing narcotic pain relievers such as Vicodin, Percodan or OxyContin.
"Patients with a history of drug abuse or people in recovery could have a real problem with prescription pain relievers," says Dr. Curtis. "But if patients are up front about their condition, then the dentist can take extra precautions." Recovering drug addicts should not use an opioid pain reliever, because it could trigger a relapse.
Of course, dentists may not have to ask in order to identify a heavy drug user: Drug abuse ravages teeth and gums, Dr. Curtis points out. "It's pretty obvious when someone is abusing drugs, especially cocaine or methamphetamine. With most drug abuse cases, you will see severe tooth decay; decreased saliva production; wear and tear on the teeth from the grinding caused by drug-induced anxiety; and spiraling personal hygiene," he says.
The effect of methamphetamine is so severe that it has its own term: "Meth-mouth." Frequent users of the drug experience a sudden, massive onset of tooth decay, gum disease and worn down teeth.
Drug use ravages teeth
-- Severe tooth decay (caries)
-- Gum disease
-- Mouth sores and ulcers
-- Stained teeth
-- Broken and worn teeth from drug-induced grinding
Patients should tell their dentist if
-- They recently used street drugs such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine or ecstasy.
-- They have a history of drug abuse or heavy drinking.
-- They are a recovering alcoholic or drug addict.
For additional information on oral health care, please visit the AGD's Web site, http://www.agd.org. To locate a dentist in your area or request a free oral and overall health care brochure, consumers across the U.S. and Canada can call toll-free 1-877-2X-A-YEAR (1-877-292-9327).
The AGD is a non-profit organization of more than 37,000 general dentists dedicated to staying up-to-date in the profession through continuing education. A general dentist is the primary care provider for patients of all ages and is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, management and overall coordination of services related to patient's oral health needs.
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NOTE: Information that appears in General Dentistry, the AGD's peer-reviewed journal, AGD Impact, the AGD's newsmagazine and related press releases do not necessarily reflect the endorsement of the AGD.
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