11 January 2016

Marijuana's Impact on the Mouth



We, here at Kai Family Dentistry, hope your year is off to a great start!

Over the holiday break, a friend of mine was concerned about the oral implications of her mom using medical marijuana. Around the same time, the Academy of General Dentistry produced a great summary of the impacts that marijuana can have on your mouth. I thought this information would be great to share so here is a reproduction of the concerns below:

Marijuana's Impact on the Mouth
Marijuana use can cause or contribute to the following in the oral cavity:
  • Alveolar bone loss
  • Gingivitis and periodontal disease
  • Gingival hyperplasia
  • Gingival leukoplakia
  • Increased appetite for cariogenic (cavity-producing) foods and drinks
  • Leukoedema
  • Oral cancer
  • Oral candidiasis
  • Poor oral hygiene practices and poor diet
  • Possible peripheral dilation and tachycardia associated with acute marijuana toxicity when an anesthetic is given
  • Uvulitis
  • Tooth decay and tooth loss
  • Tooth staining
  • Xerostomia (dry mouth)
If you have a question about any of these impacts on your oral health, please contact us or reach out to your dental care provider. 

Here's to a wonderful year,
Dr. Lynda Tran

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