Cannabis has gained popularity in recent years for purposes other than recreational ones, and it has since been utilized as a medication to treat depression, anxiety, and pain, among other conditions. On the other hand, there has also been an increase in its recreational usage. Cannabis use for recreational reasons was legalized, and since then, the cannabis business has grown rapidly on a local level.

In this blog, we will talk about the adverse effects of cannabis usage on the oral cavity and offer advice on how dentists should handle this delicate topic. If you are suffering from dental issues, contact a dental practice in Indianapolis.

What is the link of cannabis to dental health?

Cannabis comes in a variety of forms, including concentrates, hash oil, and marijuana. However, all of them include delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and this is what gives cannabis its psychoactive effects. Cannabis can have positive and bad impacts on your oral health. Cannabis may be turned into topical lotions, liquids, aerosols, and oils in addition to being added to food and consumed via smoking it most often.

Cannabis may be made in a variety of methods, but the most popular one is to use dried leaves and flowers, frequently referred to as marijuana. Typically, marijuana is smoked in “joints,” which are handmade cigarettes. It may also be smoked with a vaporizer or water pipe. 

General effects of cannabis use

Many parts of the body are affected by cannabis usage, some more seriously than others, including the respiratory, cardiovascular, and central neurological systems. Its effects are very individualistic and dependent upon the manner of intoxication and level of preparation.17.

  • Heart-related system

THC, which is present in cannabis, has been shown to gradually elevate heart rate during the initial hours of consumption by blocking vagal stimulation through interactions with neurotransmitters, including acetylcholine. On the other hand, some chronic cannabis users may have bradycardia, showing the multifaceted effects of THC on the body.

  • Dental Health

Similar to tobacco, several kinds of carcinogens, such as “phenols, nitrosamines, vinyl chloride, and various aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons,” are found in cannabis. It has been shown that cannabis users inhale and retain more tar in their smaller respiratory tracts than tobacco smokers. Cannabis smoke is different from tobacco smoke in another way: it includes 50% more of the toxic substances.27, It is often recognized that there are several risk factors for oral cancer and that smoking tobacco and alcohol is one of them. The risk of oral cancer increases significantly when alcohol and tobacco are used together. It is unclear, nevertheless, how cannabis relates to the risk of mouth cancer.

Prosper Health

Health Blog

Tuesday, Feb 11, 2025