Smoking Marijuana and Periodontal Disease

Welcome back! This week I have an interesting topic that every user and potential users of marijuana should should read.  I know what you are thinking - what does marijuana have to do with dental health? Generally, marijuana use is associated with the short term feelings  that it produces. Unfortunately,  periodontal disease is something that particularly long term users need to keep in mind.  Since recreational marijuana usage is very common among young adults, I decided to share this information with you.  

(thelibretarianrepublic.com)

According to Medicalnewstoday.com, smoking marijuana may increase your risk of getting periodontal disease. Periodontal disease characterized by infection and inflammation of the gums and the bone surrounding the teeth. In extreme cases the bone around the tooth is lost which causes the tooth to fall out (medicalnewstoday.com). A study conducted New Zealand researched civilians for 38 years and received regular health and lifestyle assessments. Compared with participants who did not use marijuana, the researchers found persistent marijuana use for up to 20 years were associated with greater risk of periodontal disease at the age of 38 (medicalnewstoday.com).

(tedhainesdds.com)

As I found this article very interesting, however, I also have a lot of follow up questions. My first question is marijuana usage a direct or indirect determinant of periodontal disease? So many other factors including:

•  the number of times the participant brushed and flossed their teeth
•  the types of food the participant ate in his or her 38 years,
•  family background other activities that the participant was doing that may contribute to periodontal disease. 

No matter what the participant is doing in his or her lives if they are not brushing their teeth and other oral procedures they will have issues with their mouth later on. The article did mention that marijuana users tend to have poor oral hygiene habits and tend to abuse alcohol. Even if they are brushing  and flossing perhaps poor dietary habits  are the real cause of their gum damage. Family background also plays a big role in the cause of diseases such as periodontal. If family members who are not cannabis users,  also had periodontal disease could genetics also  be a factor?  

In fairness, the researchers identified several limitations to this study. For example, marijuana use was self-reported; many others in the study may not have reported their usage for fear of legal ramifications. In addition, the study only looked at the effect of marijuana use on specific health problems, there may have been other health problems that contributed to the dental problems.  

While there may be  a positive correlation between smoking marijuana and later being diagnosed with periodontal disease, I do not think it is the only factor in this health outcome.   With so many unanswered questions I do not feel that a direct link between periodontal disease and marijuana usage was established. More research is clearly needed. In the meantime, if you do occasionally partake in an occasional smoke or even if you don’t - remember to brush twice daily and floss regularly. These are the only set of teeth you have and you want them to last a lifetime.  

-Robert Mora

http://thelibertarianrepublic.com/colorado-marijuana-prices-drop-significantly/

http://tedhainesdds.com/snohomish-cosmetic-dentist/tag/periodontal-disease/