People in recovery

We know that dental care has a part to play in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Not only do our service-users use drugs and alcohol to mask dental pain, we also help people who have experienced long-term damage to their dental health due to the effects of substance misuse.

There is a strong connection between the use of drugs or alcohol and problems with teeth and gums. Substances such as cocaine and methamphetamines are extremely acidic and erode tooth enamel quickly. The use of others, including heroin and ecstasy, may cause users to grind their teeth. Some drugs reduce the flow of saliva and cause dry mouth, which significantly increases the risk of tooth decay. ¹

Dentaid The Dental Charity works with partner organisations that support their service-users through their recovery journey. By engaging with support workers and visiting locations where our patients ate already accessing other services, we give them the best possible chance of accessing dental care. As a result we are increasing understanding about oral health in addition to relieving pain.

For those in recovery, poor dental health can serve as a constant reminder of difficult times. Lack of confidence and access to services means some can go years, if not decades, without seeing a dentist. Our dentists and dental nurses offer their services in an environment that is judgement-free and focused on offering the right level of support for those at different stages of their journey.

By offering our services to those in recovery from drug and alcohol problems, we can allow patients to not just feel better about their dental health but boost their confidence as they make progress on their journey.