If you’ve been doing speed or ice (amphetamine or methamphetamine) for a while you might notice your mouth not coping that well.

Because it stimulates your central nervous system, it is common to find yourself not salivating as much as normal. Good old spit is responsible for fighting bacteria in your mouth so you may find yourself with bad breath, tooth decay and gum problems. Speed also leads to peripheral vasoconstriction, a fancy way of saying it lowers the blood flow to your gums and teeth causing even more problems.

Drink plenty of water, brush and floss!

Make sure you drink plenty of water each day, and keep sipping away, especially when the dry mouth kicks in. And the usual dental tips apply of course — so brush and floss twice daily, especially at night. Another potential problem can be teeth grinding while under the influence — once again, it is your central nervous system going into top gear! Try a sugarless chewing gum to take a load off your teeth.

Free dental care

Dentists can be pretty expensive particularly if you aren't working. See if your country and region provide free dental clinics. If they do, there can be waiting lists so ring in early and make an appointment before any dental problems start up. Remember it’s a good idea to have a yearly checkup even if there’s nothing wrong yet.

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