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Could Medical Marijuana Lead to Gum Disease?

The Potential Link Between Medical Marijuana and Gum Health

By Jason KboudiPublished about a year ago 3 min read
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Over one-half of the states in the US have legalized marijuana for medical use. In many cases, it can be used to ease pain, control nausea, and encourage eating; it has also been shown to help with conditions like multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. Cancer patients also get relief from negative side effects of treatment. But while marijuana has many medical uses, it’s important to be aware of the less-than-desirable side effects – such as what it can do to your gums.

According to dental researchers at Columbia University, frequent use of cannabis – which includes marijuana – may increase your risk of gum disease. This is quite worrisome to me as a dentist because gum disease, when left untreated, is one of the most common causes of tooth loss. Even worse, the condition has also been linked to heart attacks and other potentially life-threatening diseases.

Marijuana and Your Gums

How does using marijuana put your gums at risk of infection? For one thing, it interferes with your body’s ability to produce saliva and causes dry mouth. Saliva plays an important role in washing away food debris and bacteria from the teeth; if your mouth is dry, these harmful substances and organisms will stay in your mouth longer, greatly increasing the chances of gum disease.

Furthermore, because marijuana often makes you feel hungry, you might start to consume more sugary foods and beverages than normal. The bacteria in your mouth can feed on sugar and use it to create harmful acids, which can easily lead to gum disease and cavities. As such, it’s very important to pay attention to what you’re eating even while you’re feeling hungry.

Even worse, in some cases, marijuana can directly harm your gums. Like tobacco smoke, marijuana smoke can irritate your gums, leading to swelling. Over time, marijuana use can lead to an infection of the gums, which is how gum disease begins.

It’s important to note that research is still being done on how medical marijuana can impact your oral health. In the meantime, if you are using marijuana, you should let your dentist know so that they can give you advice for keeping your mouth safe from gum disease.

Taking Care of Your Gums

Gum disease can be devastating for your smile, but fortunately, it’s a condition that you can avoid. Whether you use marijuana or not, you’ll want to follow these tips for good gum health:

  • Brush thoroughly at least twice every day. Pay close attention to the area where the teeth meet the gums, and don’t forget to brush the backsides of the teeth.
  • Start flossing if it’s not already part of your regular oral hygiene routine. Dental floss can clean the spaces between the teeth that a toothbrush can’t get to, thus removing hard-to-reach bacteria that could potentially attack your gums if left alone.
  • Pay close attention to the foods you eat. Too many sugary and starchy foods can put your gums (and the rest of your mouth) at risk of infection. Try to eat more foods that help support gum health, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, nuts, and whole grains.
  • Visit your dentist at least two times a year for checkups and cleanings; they can check for signs of gum disease that you might have missed on your own.

Whether you’re using marijuana for medical purposes or not, it always pays to be mindful of the impact it could be having on your oral health. Remember that you can always reach out to your trusted dentist if you have concerns about how your current lifestyle and habits could be affecting your gums. Being proactive could go a long way toward helping you keep gum disease under control and protecting your smile.

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