Some facts about marijuana and your oral health

In 2018, Michigan became the first midwestern state to allow both medical and recreational marijuana use for adults.

Michigan residents over 21 can purchase up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana at a time from a licensed dispensary for personal use. Residents over 18 and with a valid marijuana card from a medical professional may purchase the drug from a medical marijuana dispensary.

While many in the state cheered this move as long overdue, some people in the healthcare industry urge caution because there are risks to marijuana use, especially to your oral health.

We hear from some patients at Huszti Dental Care that they smoke pot, and it’s good for our team to know that, just like it’s important for us to know of any medication — recreational or prescribed — so we can get a full picture of your health.

Marijuana or its parts like oil or resin can be smoked or mixed into food. It’s the smoking of it — much like the smoking of cigarettes — that can lead to oral health issues. High temperatures inhaled when smoking are irritating to the gums and can lead to sensitivity, swelling, even bleeding. Marijuana also contains carcinogens, so regular smokers of marijuana need to continue proper dental hygiene to prevent gum disease.

Cotton mouth, one of the common side effects of smoking marijuana, means your salivary glands aren’t working properly. Saliva is necessary to reduce bacteria growth and prevent bad breath. Without the proper amount of saliva bacteria stays in the mouth longer, which can lead to cavities.

Don’t forget that hunger is another side effect. When you get the munchies, you reach for what’s at hand, not healthy choices, which could lead to a higher incidence of tooth decay. And smoking anything stains your teeth, even with proper brushing.

Chances are, most people are not smoking marijuana so often that these symptoms will lead to trouble. But if there are other oral health issues, the additional problems that come with smoking marijuana may combine to send you to our Milford office.

Our advice? Keep brushing and flossing regularly. Drink water. Don’t indulge in processed snacks, which are usually full of sugar. And, as with everything, moderation is the key.