Can Cannabis Affect Your Teeth? October 2019

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Contributor: Daniel D. Stoddard

One of the things that makes cannabis so enjoyable is its lack of health risks. In fact, numerous studies have shown just how beneficial it is to the human body. Marijuana has been successful during the recovery process of many human beings – and their lack of adverse effects are what, ultimately, make this harmless plant so dang desirable.

However, as amazing cannabis is, it appears as though there is a certain health issue that coincides with smoking marijuana. No, it has nothing to do with the heart, lungs, or blood pressure. Instead, the inhalation of smoke has been seen to cause one’s teeth, gums, and mouth (in general) to undergo some not-so-desirable effects.

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To be fair, this isn’t exactly “breaking news.” I mean, even the most uneducated cannabis enthusiast could venture a guess that a constant stream of smoke inhalation, over the course of many years, wouldn’t exactly “freshen breath” and “clean teeth.” And they would be right. Such an assumption was proven true during a 2016 study at Duke University. In this groundbreaking study, scientists collected data and oral samples from a large group of enthusiasts who had been smoking marijuana for roughly 20 years.

One of the researchers on staff during this time commented, “While study participants who had used marijuana to some degree over the last 20 years showed an increase in periodontal disease from age 26 to 38, they did not differ from non-users on any of the other physical health measures.” Which is always a nice reminder that cannabis isn’t hurting our bodies – it may just be affecting our teeth and gums. But to what degree, is the real question here.

During the course of this particular study (and many others like it), the scientists were careful to also gauge a person’s lifestyle. Did they partake in a litany of alcoholic drinks over the course of this time? What about their personal relationship to tobacco? These questions, and many similar queries, were posed to the participants. This is basically to help them discern what could actually be the cause of any oral issues they encountered.

Upon receiving the results of these tests and analytical studies on how cannabis affects the mouths of enthusiasts, the American Dental Association (ADA) released a statement on the issue at hand. A representative for the ADA stated that the smoking of cannabis, “is associated with periodontal complications, xerostomia, and leukoplakia as well as increased risk of mouth and neck cancers.” So, it appears as though marijuana may not be so harmless after all. But is it really that much of a risk – or does it depend on that person’s lifestyle, and how much they take care of their mouths, in general?

Well, to be fair, it is a little bit of both. For those, like me, who are unaware of what those diseases actually are, allow me to quickly summarize their effects. Leukoplakia is the presence of tiny, discolored spots and patches on the user’s gums. Where as Xerostomia is a fancy way of saying “Chronic Dry Mouth.” Any enthusiast worth their salt is more than familiar with “cotton mouth” – this is just a more heightened, more serious version of that.

Needless to say, these are no joke diseases that seem to be linked to cannabis. The industry is more than aware of these findings. Instead of brushing them under the rug in order to keep the profits flowing (like the alcohol industry is famous for doing), many companies and growers are working round the clock to see if they can cultivate a crop that lessens the oral effects of smoking cannabis.

In short, the human mouth is a complicated, intricate ecosystem that is reliant on certain things to keep it healthy. The most important being saliva. Saliva helps keep this fragile environment wet, which lessens a bacteria’s chance of increasing (or even existing), and anything that prevents the production of saliva is always going to be seen as dangerous. Without saliva, diseases and bacteria feel free to roam around the teeth and gums of the user, and establishing negative, harmful results because of it. So, the more saliva one has, the better off their mouths and gums will be.

What is interesting is that there are more and more dental experts involving themselves in not only studies of this nature, but the cannabis industry, in general. One of these people is Dr. Jared Helfant, DDS. When asked his opinion on the effects that cannabis has on the human mouth, he was more than happy to share his thoughts on the matter.

Dr. Helfant commented, “People’s behaviors when smoking cannabis—drinking more sugary drinks, eating junk food and not taking good care of their teeth.” This is coming from a dental professional who is also the president of a burgeoning cannabis company in California known as, Sparx.

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Even though there have been studies that show cannabis use could increase the risk of oral diseases like gingivitis and whatnot, experts are still unclear on whether it is the components of cannabis that are causing these diseases – or if it is just the smoke, itself. Which, to be honest, is something we have all known about for years now.

There is still no telling what is the main causative factor. Many are struggling to discern if there is even a difference between cannabis use and tobacco use – as far as oral hygiene is concerned. That has raised the eyebrows of more than a few experts in the field.

At this point, there is still a whole lot of research that needs to be done before any sort of conclusive statement can be made on the matter. However, if one continues to choose the smoke route when enjoying cannabis, there are a few steps one can take to lower their risk of oral diseases. The main thing you are going to want to pay attention to is dry mouth. So, if you can’t help but smoke cannabis, be sure to have some water at the ready. The more hydrated you stay, the more saliva can thrive. In turn, the more saliva one has, the less likely bacteria has a chance to damage one’s mouth.

This isn’t to say that cannabis, in general, is bad for the mouth. Quite the opposite, actually. When broached with this topic, Dr. George Anastassov said that there are actually a few components to cannabis that are beneficial to oral health.

Specifically, Dr. Anastassov stated, “But certain cannabinoids—in particular CBG and CBD—are actually quite good antimicrobial compounds.” Expounding on his statement, Dr. Anastassov said that, if combined with a cleaning agent, such as fluoride, CBG can be, “extremely active in disrupting the life cycles of certain bacteria—most importantly, MRSA.”

This acronym (MRSA) is representative of a strain of staph that has proven to be too powerful for any antibiotic. Even though MRSA is usually harmless, if it finds its way into a person’s body, via cut or wound, it becomes a very serious issue. So, the fact that cannabis can help do away with such harmful bacteria naturally is always a good thing. That doesn’t mean it is going to be the best for one’s teeth or gums.

There is still a lot of tests and studies needed before any concrete statement can be made about cannabis and its effectiveness on the teeth and gums, but the main thing all enthusiasts should do, for the time being, is to be honest and upfront with your dentist about your cannabis use. It will help them properly discern the cause of any potential issues your mouth may be dealing with. Isn’t honesty always the best policy? I certainly think so – especially when it comes to your personal well-being.