Understanding the Basis of METH Mouth Using a Rodent Model of Methamphetamine Injection, Sugar Consumption, and Streptococcus mutans Infection

"METH mouth" is a common consequence of chronic methamphetamine (METH) use, resulting in tooth decay and painful oral tissue inflammation that can progress to complete tooth loss. METH reduces the amount of saliva in the mouth, promoting bacterial growth, tooth decay, and oral tissue damage. This oral condition is worsened by METH users' compulsive behavior, including high rates of consumption of sugary drinks, recurrent tooth grinding, and a lack of frequent oral hygiene. is a Gram-positive bacterium found in the oral cavity and associated with caries in humans. Hence, we developed a murine model of METH administration, sugar intake, and infection to mimic METH mouth in humans and to investigate the impact of this drug on tooth colonization. We demonstrated that the combination of METH and sucrose stimulates tooth adhesion, growth, and biofilm formation METH and sucrose increased the expression of glycosyltransferases and lactic acid production. Moreover, METH contributes to the low environmental pH and sucrose metabolism, providing a plausible mechanism for bacterium-mediated tooth decay. Daily oral rinse treatment with chlorhexidine significantly reduces tooth colonization in METH- and sucrose-treated mice. Furthermore, human saliva inhibits colonization and biofilm formation after exposure to either sucrose or the combination of METH and sucrose. These findings suggest that METH might increase the risk of microbial dental disease in users, information that may help in the development of effective public health strategies to deal with this scourge in our society. "METH mouth" is characterized by severe tooth decay and gum disease, which often causes teeth to break or fall out. METH users are also prone to colonization by cariogenic bacteria such as In addition, this oral condition is aggravated by METH users' compulsive behavior, including the consumption of beverages with high sugar content, recurrent tooth grinding, and a lack of frequent oral hygiene. We investigated the effects of METH and sugar consumption on biofilm formation and tooth colonization. Using a murine model of METH administration, sucrose ingestion, and oral infection, we found that the combination of METH and sucrose increases adhesion and biofilm formation on the teeth of C57BL/6 mice. However, daily chlorhexidine-based oral rinse treatment reduces tooth colonization. Similarly, METH has been associated with dry mouth or hyposalivation in users. Hence, we assessed the impact of huma