4 HOW CANNABIS AFFECTS YOUR ORAL HEALTH

Cannabis is becoming more and more common for both medical and recreational use. While it has many benefits that can help some patients, it can lead to negative side effects, especially if you consume it on a regular and consistent basis. If you want to better protect your oral health from the side effects of cannabis, check out these four ways cannabis may harm your oral health.

1. Reduced Saliva Flow

One of the best-known side effects of cannabis is dry mouth. Cannabis affects saliva flow by binding to the saliva glands and interfering with their ability to produce norepinephrine and methacholine. Having a dry mouth is annoying because it can make talking difficult, but there is more to dry mouth than just mild irritation.

Saliva is an important part of your oral health because it naturally helps keep teeth clean by washing away debris and bacteria between brushing and flossing. If you develop dry mouth from cannabis use, however, the lack of saliva allows the particles and bacteria to stay put, exposing your teeth to decay and your gums to irritation.

In some cases, dry mouth can cause the saliva you do develop to become sticky, especially when it mixes with bacteria and plaque. This may cause more plaque to cling to teeth, and the plaque may stick better to your teeth, giving it time to harden into tartar.

2. Unhealthy Food Cravings 

Food cravings are another side effect often associated with cannabis use. Many people who consume cannabis experience unhealthy cravings for sugary and starchy foods. While scientists aren't sure of the exact reason for this, a study at the University of Bordeaux showed that mice exposed to THC (the psychoactive chemical in cannabis) had an improved sense of taste and smell. This alone may cause people to be more inclined to develop cravings.

Regardless of the reason, however, many cannabis consumers crave foods that are high in sugar and starch. Both types of foods are terrible for your oral health. They help feed the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Plus, sugar and starch are sticky, so they are more likely to get trapped on and around your teeth.

3. Irritation to Gums

If you ever smoked or knew someone who smoked tobacco, you know the devastating effects it can have on your gum health. However, cannabis use may not be much better for your gums, especially if you use cannabis heavily and regularly.

The heat from joints, bongs, and pipes may be too much for gums, leading to mild burns. While you may not notice these burns, the tissue is still damaged and irritated, increasing the risk of gum disease. Similarly, contaminants and irritants in the smoke could harm the gums.

4. Discoloration of Teeth

It's becoming less and less acceptable to have a discolored smile. Thanks to teeth whitening, many people can get the beautiful smile they want. However, using cannabis can cause teeth to become discolored. Cannabis contains plant tannins, which can stain teeth. Smoke and other ingredients may also help stain teeth, causing them to become brownish or yellow. 

You can counteract these stains with teeth whitening, but if you continue to consume cannabis, the stains will return, creating an expensive cycle of stains and frequent whitening. This increases the risk of tooth sensitivity and enamel erosion if you keep buying over-the-counter whitening products for your teeth stains.

While cannabis can help some people with certain medical conditions, it can also lead to major oral problems like gum disease. Understanding the oral dangers of cannabis is the first step in protecting your smile. To take the next step, contact us at Carlino & Paton, DDS PC, today.