Smoking Cannabis, Cavities, and Oral Health Considerations

Oral health is an often overlooked topic when speaking about the benefits and effects of smoking marijuana. So can smoking weed cause cavities, and could consuming it in other ways cut down the risk of oral health issues?

The short answer to this is that cannabis smoking invariably comes with oral health risks. However, risks like developing dental cavities can be reduced with excellent oral hygiene practices.

Is Smoking Marijuana Bad for Your Oral Health?

Any form of smoking, whether marijuana or tobacco, is generally considered bad for your oral health. Regular smoking exposes you to harmful chemicals and puts you at risk of a host of health problems.

Smoking weed to treat a qualifying condition therefore presents MMJ patients with a unique quandary. While smoking in itself is inherently harmful to a certain extent, the benefits for some patients may be determined to outweigh the risks.

Smoking and Oral Health

Smoking can impact your oral health and hygiene in many ways. For example, smoking tobacco can lead to issues ranging from aesthetic problems like tooth discoloration to more serious issues like gum disease, tooth loss, and even various cancers. Individuals who smoke marijuana alongside tobacco risk exposing themselves to the consequences of regular smoking as well as any additional oral health effects specific to marijuana smoke.

Consequence of Smoking Weed for Oral Health

There are a few possible links between weed smoking and oral health problems. For example:

Frequent cannabis users have poorer overall oral health than non-consumers. There’s a correlation between cannabis use and developing periodontal disease and dental caries.
Cannabis consumers are more likely to suffer from oral infections.

Much of the past research into potential links between cannabis use and oral health issues hasn’t specifically focused on smoking, instead offering a more general overview of cannabis use on oral health.

However, a 2024 study into marijuana smoking and the development of dental caries concluded that smoking marijuana alone doesn’t have a significant impact on the development of dental caries. Smoking marijuana and tobacco together, however, caused a notable increase in caries.

This suggests that the oral health impacts of smoking marijuana can be significantly reduced by vaping or smoking cannabis without tobacco.

Cannabis Consumption and Cotton Mouth

Cotton mouth is a commonly reported side effect of consuming weed. Research suggests that THC contained in weed reduces saliva production. This leads to an uncomfortable dry sensation in your mouth and throat.

Staying hydrated can help to counter the symptoms of cotton mouth. Avoid smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol, which also dry the mouth.

Consumption of High-Sugar Foods

The association between cannabis smoke and poor oral health is nuanced and influenced by several different factors. Simply concluding that smoking marijuana regularly will lead to oral health issues ignores other elements that could influence the debate.

For example, a 2022 study into the link between cannabis consumption and oral health among teenagers and young people found that weed consumers reported frequent consumption of sugary foods and beverages. This could affect their risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease.

THC is an appetite stimulant, meaning that weed consumption could drive an excessive consumption of cariogenic foods. This suggests that weed by itself may not be the cause of cavities but the snacks chosen to accompany cannabis use.

Potential Benefits of Cannabis for Oral Health

While cannabis smoking and munchie-fueled indulgences have been associated with specific oral health issues, the strategic use of certain cannabinoids could be helpful in two specific instances:

CBD may ease the symptoms of oral mucositis from radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
10-milligram capsules of THC and CBD given after surgery may both reduce and postpone the need for rescue analgesia in the form of morphine (thus reducing the risks associated with opioid use).

These are primarily professional applications, meaning that these benefits mostly depend on advances in cannabis research and the adoption of these solutions by medical professionals if the research produces positive results.

While the medical and dental fields explore these potential applications further, MMJ patients should focus on finding a personal balance between the therapeutic benefits of cannabis for qualifying conditions and dietary and oral health practices to protect our pearly whites.

Tips to Minimize Oral Health Problems as an MMJ Patient

If you’re concerned about developing or worsening pre-existing oral health problems with your weed consumption, consider these tips to minimize the impact of your MMJ:

Consume tooth-healthy foods including fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and oily fish.
Consistently follow a strict oral health routine including effective brushing, flossing, and six-monthly visits to the dentist.
Minimize the oral health impacts of cotton mouth by staying hydrated.
Avoid tobacco smoking. The many health problems caused by tobacco are well-reported and extend far beyond oral health problems.
Reduce your consumption of high-sugar foods when the munchies hit. Have healthy, low-sugar snacks on hand when you know you’re going to consume cannabis.
Sweeten homemade THC edibles with healthier alternatives to sugar, such as making stevia-sweetened gummies or infusing non-sugary recipes with cannabis-infused olive or coconut oil.
Consider topicals and tinctures to bypass oral health risks associated with smoking in general.

If you find the cost of topicals and tinctures prohibitive, remember that you can save on excise tax in several states (including Arizona) by obtaining or renewing your medical marijuana card. You can also grow or purchase flower—depending on your state laws—and make your own cannabis tinctures and topicals at home. Fresh cannabis juicing is another way to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of cannabis without putting your oral health at risk.

Take Action to Minimize the Risk of Oral Health Problems

The impact of what we consume on our oral health and hygiene is well-known. However, there are many things that MMJ patients can do if they are concerned about the impact of cannabis consumption on their teeth and gums.

As is the case with any consumable product, moderation and risk mitigation can help you minimize the oral health implications of consuming cannabis. Practicing excellent oral hygiene, avoiding excessive sugar consumption, and considering alternatives to smoking (if necessary) will help you protect your oral health.