The image of rotting teeth and inflamed gums is usually enough to send most people running for their dentists. However, corrections facilities across the nation are noticing a dramatic increase in cavities, tooth decay and gum erosion among offenders - and it's not because they are eating too many Sour Patch Kids.

Commonly known as meth mouth,' this severe dental problem is a direct result of smoking or snorting methamphetamines. According to Dr. Bill Batchelder, Dental Director of the Diagnostic Prison in Jackson, Georgia, meth mouth is a problem on the rise - for both prisoners and taxpayers.

Q: How big of a problem is 'meth mouth' within the prison system?

A: Well to be honest, we saw very little of it 2 years ago. It's increasing drastically, without a doubt. Having a few cavities is normal for a prisoner, but this problem leads to entire mouths essentially being rotted away. There are 18 and 19 year olds coming in with these problems. Dentists in correctional facilities across the nation have noticed this increase. Most average dentists won't see too much of 'meth mouth' because most meth users, generally, are not concerned with the maintenance of their teeth. Most meth users have a diet that is high in sugar, and cannot afford regular visits to private dentists. This also causes it to become a bigger problem, because treatment is prolonged until they enter the prison system.

Q: What do you think has caused this increase in 'meth mouth'?

A: Well, meth has become the drug of choice for these users. Cocaine and crack do not attack the teeth this badly, so this indicates an increase in the number of people using methamphetamines.

Q: How does this affect the total cost of dental work for prisoners?

A: Well, the results are fairly obvious. Rather than having to fill a few cavities, we now have entire mouths full of teeth that must be pulled or worked on intensely. This obviously costs much more than a regular filling or cap.

Q: What can be done to decrease the instances of 'meth mouth'?

A: It's a tricky situation, really. You can get prisoners off the methamphetamines, but by the time we see them they have usually been using meth for a year or two. Community education would probably help, but the people doing these drugs are not interested in regular, yearly dental check-ups. They are only interested in the drugs at that point. Other than community education, it's a hard problem to cure and will most likely only get worse.

Q: What makes methamphetamines so harsh on teeth?

A: Because methamphetamines are made with harsh chemicals that aren't processed down to a pure form, they are especially hard on the teeth. Most methamphetamines are made with chemicals like lithium, ammonia, peroxide and battery acid. Essentially, when methamphetamines are smoked or snorted, they automatically begin to attack the teeth. 'Meth mouth' usually starts at the gum line as tiny cavities, but then it moves into the rest of the mouth. The acids used in methamphetamine production are especially horrible on teeth. As a result of the methamphetamines, users also have a decrease in saliva, and the enzymes that are usually in the saliva are also destroyed. Another factor is that most methamphetamine users grind their teeth constantly. All of these things lead up to the destruction of tooth enamel, tooth production and all around dental hygiene.