London dentist highlights the devastating dental impact of cocaine abuse
Cocaine use has doubled in the last five years in the UK, according to recent statistics. While many people may be familiar with pictures of damaged nostrils due to cocaine abuse, the dental impact of using the class A drug are less well-known.
London dentist, Dr Richard Marques, explained that most people are completely unaware of the risk of damaging their mouth when they use cocaine. The palate is the part of the mouth, which separates the rest of the oral cavity from the nasal cavity. When you use cocaine, the drug reduces blood supply, eventually causing the tissue to die. This process, which is known as vasoconstriction, prevents oxygen from reaching the palate, resulting in the formation of a hole in the roof of the mouth.
Dr Marques, who has witnessed the horrific impact of cocaine abuse, described the development of holes in the palate as a “serious issue” and said that such a dramatic structural change to the mouth could impact eating, drinking, and speech, as well as having a negative impact on oral health. Drinking becomes a particularly difficult task, as liquid flows through the palate, coming out of the nose. While this isn’t a life-threatening side-effect, it’s likely to affect confidence, and it could also impact nutrition.
Dr Marques urged patients who have dabbled with drugs in the past, and those who continue to use substances like cocaine to be wary of the dental dangers and to keep an eye out for signs of damage within the mouth. Many people ignore warning signs, and this can result in major damage. Often, patients are embarrassed and ashamed and they avoid seeking help, but the advice from dentists is to address issues as early as possible, when there is a higher chance of treating the problem successfully. Dentists are there to provide treatment, rather than to judge, and patients should not feel anxious about making an appointment.
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