On their hit album “Insomniac,” the band Green Day paints a chilling picture of a methamphetamine addict in the song, “Geek Stink Breath.” The title of the song refers to “meth breath,” which is one of the lesser known but more easily detectable signs of frequent methamphetamine use. Aptly enough, the lyrics refer to meth “rotting out my teeth,” which is one of the major contributors to bad breath in meth users.

Methamphetamine, also known as “meth,” has become the new drug of choice for many people throughout the country. A 2003 study revealed that 12.3 million Americans 12 years old and over had tried methamphetamine at least once. That was 2003, and the numbers have climbed steadily since then. Law enforcement agencies from all over the country, particularly in the Midwest, have reported hundreds of “home meth labs” where manufacturers use easily available chemicals to make and widely distribute their own products.

Make no mistake about it, methamphetamine is deadly. There are many physical effects of methamphetamines, but one little known area severely affected by even short term effects is the mouth. While most indicators of meth use are behavioral, one of the best physical indicators of methamphetamine use is bad breath, also known as “meth breath.”

Dentists report a number of effects of methamphetamines on the mouth. First, the drug makes users extremely hyperactive and anxious, and so grind their teeth a lot, wearing away at the enamel. The drug is also highly acidic, which further eats away at the teeth. Dry mouth is a common symptom, because the acids in the drug reduce the production of saliva. Users often crave sugar in any form while they’re on meth. The drug stays in the system for up to 12 hours, during which time the user is most likely not going to consider basic oral hygiene.

These factors combined lead to rapid tooth decay. The users teeth are literally rotting inside their mouth. Dentists report that users teeth are often black, stained, and falling apart or crumbling.

The psychological effects of the drug also lead to bad effects on the mouth. Users feel, usually correctly, that their teeth are falling out, or they can hallucinate the feeling that their teeth are turning inwards or outwards, and go to extremes to correct this problem. Users often pick at their teeth and mouth, as users commonly report feeling that there are bumps all over them, and they have a compelling drive to pick at them.

The bad breath comes from a combination of factors. The first is dry mouth, and the coating on the inside of the mouth associated with dry mouth. The second source is the rotting teeth, which are highly susceptible to infection due to a decreased immune system, and the extremely noticeable bad breath that comes from oral infections.

Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of treatments for “meth breath.” Basic oral hygiene is a short term deterrent, but brushing and flossing are not on the user’s mind immediately after taking the drug, when it’s needed most. Serious addicts, who are unable to take care of themselves, probably place basic hygiene low on their list of priorities.

An immediate solution to the dry mouth problem is continuous hydration. The water will reduce the acidic effects of the drug, and also hydrate the individual. Although this is much easier for a user to remember and implement, it still doesn’t offer a long term solution to the problem.

Obviously, the best way to get rid of “meth breath” is to quit using the drug, not an easy task for a drug that’s so quickly addicting. Even stopping the use of the drug doesn’t help teeth already damaged by meth use. Often the damage to teeth is so bad that removing the teeth is often the only action dentists can take.