Health Experts Drug Usage Can Result in Dental Problems

Health experts from Australia warned that an increased in drug use can lead to other health issues that included dental problems. Sharon Liberali, director of special needs unit of the Adelaide Dental Hospital, states the methamphetamine users suffer from several oral health issues that include tooth decay and teeth grinding. These are seen in young adults and teens.

Liberali adds there are long term issues faced by chronic users of methamphetamine. She says the impacts are on the hyperactivity of the muscles that people use to chew and results to grinding and clenching. These actions damage the teeth. Then there’s dry mouth that increase the risks of dental decay and oral infections in the mouth.

Drug related oral health issues will increase as use of methamphetamine continues. According to statistics, 13.5 percent of the Australian population use methamphetamine in 2007. The number increased to 14.5 percent in 2010. South Australia has a higher percentage of user at 15 percent.

The Australian Orthodontics Congress tackled the issue in Adelaide. Dr. Robert Ali of the Drug and Alcohol Services in South Australia predicts the numbers to go up in the 2013 National Drug Strategy Survey because of the increase in drug seizures and foreign containers having illegal drugs arriving in Australia. The number of people looking for treatment for addiction also increased.

Ali says even low intensity use can become problematic. Drug use comes in and out of focus. Ecstasy has been the drug of choice five to seven years ago but it is already on decline today. New drugs are becoming available and psycho-stimulants are used with methamphetamine.

Melanie Walker, acting chief executive of the Public Health Association of Australia, says Commonwealth and state governments must have a national strategy regarding drug use and abuse. She says there must be education and drug treatment programs to help people with drug problems.

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