Jazzmine Myers

Ecstasy (MDMA) and oral health

Jazzmine Myers

Many young adults use ecstasy recreationally. Ecstasy can cause many different side effects, such as hyperthermia, hyponatraemia, liver failure, psychotic episodes, depression, panic disorders and impulsive behavior¹. But you may not be aware that it can also cause oral health problems. In several studies over 93 percent of users suffer from xerostomia (dry mouth) while using ecstasy. Xerostomia can last up to 48 hours after use. It is found that the risk of acute xerostomia is dose related, the higher the ecstasy dose the longer xerostomia occur. To relieve dry mouth and hyperthermia, many consume an excessive amount of soft drinks. The  ugar and acid in the drinks can increase the risk of enamel erosion.

A single dose of ecstasy in rats can cause partial inhibition of the jaw opening reflex¹. Although, this has not been studied in man, it can be related to the frequent reports of jaw clenching and grinding of teeth during ecstasy use. The jaw clenching can occur up to 48 hours or longer after use. 60 percent of ecstasy users show enamel tooth wear compared to 11 percent in non-users.

Tooth wear due to ecstasy use not only cause expensive dental treatment but it can also interfere with dental treatment¹. It effect dental treatment by interfering with pain reliever medication that may be prescribed such as, monoamineoxidase inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants. This is why dentist need to be more cautious when administering local anaesthetic containing epinephrine. However, patients are unlikely to report the use of ecstasy. Therefore it is essential that they have a non-confrontational medical history taking with ‘judgement-free’questioning of possible use.

Reference:

1.      H. S. Brand,1 S. N. Dun2 and A. V. Nieuw Amerongen3. "Ecstasy (MDMA) and Oral Health." ProQuest. ProQuest, 26 Jan. 2008. Web. 16 June 2013. <http://search.proquest.com.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/docview/216932412/abstract?accountid=13158>.