Marijuana use effect on oral health

Cannabis use may have a negative impact on dental care, according to recent surveys done by the American Dental Association (ADA). People should abstain from consuming marijuana prior to seeing the dentist, according to studies done in jurisdictions where the drug has been legal for personal and medical use since 2012.

Stressful dental visits

Only alcohol is used more frequently than marijuana as a psychotropic substance in the United States. Marijuana has historically been utilised in conventional medicine to treat opioid addiction, increase appetite, and alleviate nausea and vomiting. Recent research, however, raises the possibility that marijuana use and poor oral health are related.

“Unfortunately, sometimes having marijuana in your system results in needing an additional visit.” said Dr Tricia Quartey, ADA spokesperson.

The visit might be more stressful as a result of marijuana’s potential to cause heightened anxiety, paranoia, and hyperactivity, according to Dr Quartey. The risk of utilising local anaesthetics for pain relief increases since it can also cause an increase in heart rate and unfavourable respiratory side effects.

Increased risk of cavities

Along with these consequences, greater marijuana usage is linked to poor oral hygiene and an increase in dental caries.

“The active ingredient in marijuana, THC, makes you hungry, and people don’t always make healthy food choices under its influence,” said Dr Quartey. 

Additionally, using marijuana while vaping might cause extra oral health problems like dry mouth and gum disease.

Because one of the substances in the cannabis plant, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), affects the submandibular glands that create saliva, saliva production is reduced when marijuana is smoked.

The saliva is one of the most important components of the complex system that makes up the human mouth. Saliva performs a variety of tasks, including breaking down meals and keeping the surroundings wet. Above all, saliva prevents cavities by removing and destroying germs and other things from the teeth and gums.

Possible link with leukoplakia and xerostomia

Scientists have discovered that habitual marijuana smokers experience severe effects on the condition of their teeth and gums. This is according to various research looking at how marijuana smoking affects the oral cavity. They discovered an elevated risk of mouth and neck malignancies, as well as an elevated risk of periodontal disease, squamous cell carcinoma linked to smoking, periodontal problems, xerostomia, and leukoplakia in the mouth.

Leukoplakia is a condition that causes white patches or spots to appear inside the mouth and is frequently observed in the early stages of oral cancer. Xerostomia is a chronic dry mouth ailment that can cause poor breath.

Summary

In conclusion, marijuana may be helpful for some medical illnesses, but regular users risk developing major dental health problems. Regular cannabis users are more likely to develop leukoplakia, dry mouth, periodontal disease, and mouth and neck cancers. Cannabis users are advised to avoid smoking and look for alternative methods of consumption, or to abstain from consuming marijuana before any dentist appointments.