Your Oral Healthcare Needs After Addiction Recovery

Addiction to drugs, alcohol, and other substances is a very real disease that affects the lives of many. While some of these harmful substances can cause damage to your overall health, there are also many that will negatively impact your dental health as well. While you may be able to overcome your addiction, the damage to your smile can persist.

It’s important to many former addicts that they’re able to receive the right type of dental care in order to restore their mouth, teeth, and smile. After overcoming such an intense, difficult, and damaging addiction, you deserve to be proud of your smile and confident with showing it off!

How Can Dental Professionals Help Recovering Addicts?

There are certain symptoms that dental professionals are trained to look out for if they suspect drug abuse. These symptoms include distinctive patterns of tooth decay on the teeth and the look of malnourishment in the patient.

If drug use is suspected or confirmed by the patient, there are a few things that a dental professional will need to do. These include the following:

• The dentist will go over your medical and dental history with you and perform a thorough examination and assessment of your dental health.
• The dentist will provide you with contact information for local rehabilitation centers and clinics.
• Preventative measures such as fluoride treatments will be taken to protect the teeth from drug abuse.
• Caution will be taken if the dental patient needs anesthesia, nitrous oxide, or sedation.
• Lastly, your dental care provider will educate you about any risks associated with your drug use both on your overall health and your dental health.

If you have recently gone through a rehabilitation program and are looking for a fresh start and a healthy, clean smile, please contact your general dentist today. Restorative dental procedures will be discussed with you and your dentist can help you choose which options are right for you.

To contact Endodontic Specialists, please contact one of our three locations in Colorado Springs and Pueblo, Colorado today.