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
