Drug Action Week —Effects of Alcohol and Drugs on Oral Health

From 16 June – 22 June, Australia observes Drug Action Week. It is an awareness campaign that focuses on issues associated with alcohol and drug use in our country. Below is a link to a page containing some downloadable fact sheets on the psychological and physical effects of alcohol and drug use:

http://www.drugactionweek.org.au/inner.php?page_id=32

We’ve highlighted in the past how alcohol consumption can lead to irreversible erosion of tooth enamel. One of the physical effects of drugs like cocaine and amphetamine is dry mouth. Dry mouth may sound benign but this condition increases one’s risk of developing cavities, gum disease and other oral diseases and conditions.

Read more about the effects of substance abuse on oral health in this report:

http://cro.sagepub.com/content/3/3/163.full.pdf