People who use methamphetamine and other hard drugs are at high risk of having dental decay and gum disease, according to a study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

The study, which was conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) studied 571 methamphetamine users. They found that 96 percent had dental cavities and 58 percent suffered from tooth decay. Furthermore, less than a quarter of the users had their natural teeth. Those who reportedly heavily used the drug and participants who smoked had more cavities than the light users. Women also seemed to have more tooth decay than men. A majority of those in the study were very embarrassed of their teeth.

Researchers on the study point out that tooth decay, cavities and other dental issues should be an alarming sign of drug use.