Regular Cannabis Use Could Mean Increased Dental Risk

With recreational marijuana use becoming legalized in more U.S. states every year, it’s unsurprising that more research is going into the product to ensure the general public has all of the relevant information regarding any possible effects it can have on the overall health of its users.

Per a study that was published recently in the Journal of Periodontology , it’s possible that individuals who regularly partake in the use of cannabis, including hashish, hashish oil, and, of course, marijuana, could have an increased risk for developing periodontal disease, which is also called gum disease.

In this study, researchers compared individuals who partook in cannabis use a minimum of once per month for one year against those who did not use it as regularly. The researchers stated those who regularly used cannabis had more “pocket depths,” which measure the amount of space between teeth and the surrounding gum tissue, on average around their teeth. These pocket depths are serious indicators for gum disease that dentists use in the treatment of their patients.

It was found in this most recent study that regular cannabis users who used the product at least once per month had 24.5 sites, on average, around their teeth that measured a minimum of eight millimeters. On the other hand, individuals who used cannabis less averaged a minimum of 18.9 sites measuring eight millimeters or more.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), periodontal disease is, specifically, an infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. It’s also one of the major causes of adult tooth loss, with warning signs including tender and swollen gums, gums that easily bleed, and a persistent bad taste or bad breath.

Some of the factors that will increase one’s risk of developing periodontal disease include chewing or smoking tobacco, diabetes, genetics, and overall poor oral hygiene. Now, per this study, frequent cannabis use could also be a contributing factor.

Per Dr. Terrence Griffin, who is the president of the American Academy of Periodontology, consumers must be informed of the various impacts any type of cannabis can have on their gum health, especially in a time where the decriminalization of both recreational and medical cannabis use is becoming much more common within the US. “There are a number of risk factors that contribute to the development of periodontal disease, and this report suggests that cannabis use may be one of them,” Dr. Griffin said.

If you have been smoking marijuana and have not been to your dentist lately, it is time to schedule an appointment. To learn how you can save as much as 20 percent off that next appointment with our discount dental plans , click here.

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