What is Coke Jaw?

Coke Jaw is a form of drug fever that can be caused by cocaine use. It is the name given to a condition caused by cocaine abuse. It is characterized by an overgrowth of the gum tissue in the mouth and around the teeth. The tissues expand, ulcerate, and destroy tooth roots, eventually leading to tooth loss.

In some cases, the person might have to go to the hospital for treatment for this condition. It can be recognized by its symptoms such as severe anxiety, body shakes, blood flow in lower extremities decrease, and high blood pressure.

Cocaine has many negative impacts on the body. One of these is the “coke jaw,” or cocaine jaw which is used to define the erratic and uncontrollable moving of the jaw. Snorting, smoking, or rubbing cocaine in your mouth can cause a coke jaw.

Coke jaw meaning another slang term for cocaine use. This describes all the effects on the mouth and jaw area from the use of cocaine.

Coke Jaw Signs and Symptoms

You can take cocaine by ingesting it, rubbing it on your gums, or snorting the substance up your nose. Since it is a powerful stimulant drug, coke speeds up your entire body.

That leads to side effects like coke jaw clenching. The muscles in your mouth twitch in sporadic movements.

A person with coke jaw movements will grind their teeth and move their mouth from side to side in an erratic fashion. Coke jaw is a physical side effect that leads to other complications within the mouth. 

Separated from cocaine jaw, there are numerous other symptoms that your loved ones may be on the drug. For example, cocaine users will continually experience convulsions, seizures, headaches, mood swings, bowel decay, loss of smell, runny nose, trouble swallowing, and such. Note that some of these symptoms will directly correlate to how the drug is taken.

Another major sign of cocaine usage is dry mouth. Especially crack cocaine, such drugs can enormously reduce the discharge of saliva into the mouth. Although dry mouth may appear like a minor side effect, it can evolve into a severe issue. A dry mouth can lead to other oral issues like bleeding gums, gum disease, and even tooth decay. 

Finally, a major sign that your loved one may be a cocaine abuser is when it is difficult for them to eat, swallow, or even speak. This occurs because when the drug is used, it is generally done by snorting it through the nasal cavity. This activity forces the blood vessels in the nose to constrict, cutting off the oxygen supply to the cells and causing them to die. This death of the cells leads to something known as the perforation of the oral palate. The roof of the mouth starts to deteriorate, causing the problems we mentioned earlier.

The unstable moving and constant clenching of the jaw pose multiple serious and painful health problems.

Along with jaw defects, the mouth is impacted, which can hurt the rest of your body’s normal functions.

Jaw Pain

Cocaine use can cause an individual to have overwhelming quantities of energy. When these emotions turn into anxiety, many will clench their jaws for lengthy periods of time.

Occasionally, jaw clenching is done absentmindedly. The prolonged tightening, clenching, and grinding of the jaw will cause jaw pain, even when cocaine leaves your system.

What Drug Makes Your Jaw Move Side to Side?

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are disorders of the jaw muscles, temporomandibular joints, and nerves associated with chronic facial pain. Any problem that prevents the complex system of muscles, bones, and joints from working together in harmony may result in temporomandibular disorder.

In many cases, the exact cause of this condition may not be clear. Occasionally the primary cause is excessive strain on the jaw joints and the muscle group that controls chewing, swallowing, and speech. This tension may be a result of bruxism. This is the habitual, involuntary clenching or grinding of the teeth. But trauma to the jaw, the head, or the neck may cause TMD. Arthritis and displacement of the jaw joint disks can also cause TMD pain. In other cases, another painful medical condition such as fibromyalgia or irritable bowel syndrome may coincide with or aggravate the pain of TMD. A recent study by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research identified clinical, psychological, sensory, genetic, and nervous system aspects that may put an individual at higher risk of acquiring chronic TMD.

More than 90% of people who have an addiction started to drink alcohol or use drugs before they were 18 years old.

Source: NCBI

Almost 21 million Americans have at least 1 addiction, yet only 10% of them receive treatment.

Source: NIDA

About 5 million Americans are regular Cocaine users and There were 14,666 such deaths in 2018.

Source: NCBI

Treatment for Coke Jaw and Drug Abuse

Physical therapy begins with removing the toxic products of cocaine from the body, known as detoxification or “detox.” In order to successfully handle cocaine withdrawal symptoms, supervised medical detox is recommended. Cocaine withdrawal can range from a few days to months. The risk of returning to use gains during this time as the body attempts to rebalance.

The best thing that a person can do to treat their symptoms of coke jaw is to immediately and completely stop using cocaine. From there, a person may want to visit their dentist to diagnose and address any damage or oral health issues that have arisen from cocaine use, as well as to discuss treatment options.

Coke jaw is not a dental problem. It’s a substance abuse problem. Drug use is the most significant obstacle to good oral health. Aside from the direct damage cocaine can do, individuals who use it are less likely to eat well, stay hydrated, and practice good hygiene.

Fortunately, when a cocaine concern is caught and treated early on, the likelihood of long-term harm from coke mouth is small. When the drug is removed, many cases start to self-correct right away. Also, the best treatment programs contain nutritional advice and hygiene tips to restore a winning smile.

Level Up Treatment Centers has multiple treatment facilities that offer a wide range of care options for drug and alcohol addiction recovery. Sometimes the best addiction treatment center near me isn’t actually the best treatment center for you. We want to place you where you can get the treatment options that best suit your needs and circumstances. We pair you with the treatment professionals that are the best fit for your journey. 

Don’t see the state you live in on the list below? That’s okay! We are proud to serve people from around the United States and beyond who are seeking addiction treatment. For some individuals, finding an out-of-state rehab center is the best option. Whether you are from California to Texas or New Jersey to Florida, we are here to help you find recovery. Our holistic approach to recovery will help you heal your mind, body, and soul. Get started on your journey to a better life.