News and Views

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Damage substance use can do to oral health

Friday, May 13, 2022 | Posted in GEHA Connection Dental Network News

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New information from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research’s “Oral Health in America” project sheds additional light on the damage substance use can do to oral health.

The opioid crisis has led to improved prescription and treatment practices for orofacial pain, including the pain associated with oral surgery. However, most dental opioid prescriptions are issued by emergency departments, making the medicine more expensive and less effective.

Methamphetamine abuse often leads to extensive oral health damage, starting with severely affected saliva flow. This may lead to patterns of tooth decay, broken teeth and gum disease, in addition to the negative effect methamphetamine use has on a person’s overall health.

The link between tobacco use and oral/throat cancers is well-established. Less known is if smoking marijuana compounds the conditions caused by tobacco use. Marijuana use is tied to lowered salivary flow, and discovered with higher levels of decay and gum disease. However, more marijuana-specific oral research is warranted.

Similarly, e-cigarette studies to date have shown many of the same problems with gums and soft tissue found with tobacco.

The study points out that the consequences of behavioral health issues, from depression and post-traumatic stress to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, can lead to a lack of the cognitive and emotional energy required for sustained, positive oral health.

Oral health providers should learn new skills related to mental health and substance abuse to provide the best care possible for patients, and refer patients exhibiting symptoms of substance abuse disorders and behavioral health issues.

Source:
“Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges — Section 5: Pain, Mental Illness, Substance Use, and Oral Health.” nidcr.nih.gov, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, December, 2021.