Cannabis smoking in Dentistry

Phoebe Kathlyn T. Montalban

Dental Hygiene Department, South College Nashville

RDH1310 – Dental Pharmacology

Ms. Sarah McKinney, RDH

May 27, 2022

 Cannabis smoking in Dentistry

The usage of marijuana has expanded dramatically in the United States this is a result of

the legalization of the drug medically. Some states even legalize marijuana recreationally.

Because of the increase of usage of marijuana, it is important that medical personnel should take

note how this substance can affect medical treatment. In dentistry, providers should be aware of

the risk and benefits of the drug prior to providing dental treatment to patients. There are several

side effects that occur in the oral cavity that is linked to smoking this substance.

Cannabis smoking is linked to xerostomia or dry mouth. Saliva has several functions in

the mouth and one of them is avoiding frictional injury to the underlying mucosa. It is also a

great buffering mechanism for keeping the oral cavity, particularly the teeth, free of dental

problems like caries. Cannabis users are found to have more decaying, missing, and filled teeth

compared to non-users. Marijuana is also an appetite suppressant that causes consumers to

consume cariogenic snack foods, which is another reason as to why it is linked to increase risk of

caries. Cannabis can also increase the risk to develop periodontal disease. By smoking on

regular basis and for an extended period it can be harmful to the gums and tissues surrounding

the teeth.

Cannabis smoking has also been linked to an increased risk of oral cancer because it

contains 50 percent more cancer-causing chemicals compared to a tobacco smoke. According to

a study, a single marijuana smoke, deposits four times the amount of tar in the respiratory system

as a single filtered tobacco cigarette of comparable amount. For many years, there has been a

known link between candidiasis and cigarette use. For many years, there has been a known link

between candidiasis and cigarette use. As a result, cannabis smoking can also be associated with

candidiasis. When compared to tobacco smokers and non-smokers, cannabis users had a higher
density of candida. Lastly, marijuana also has side effects to patients getting anesthesia for a

dental treatment. Patients who took marijuana before their oral surgery required more anesthesia

than those who did not. In addition to that, whenever a patient receives an anesthetic that

contains epinephrine, or an increased heart rate or tachycardia.

In conclusion, cannabis is a widely used recreational substance. With the increased usage

of it, healthcare providers are facing more adverse complications, which is why it is important

that all healthcare personnel are aware of the contraindications of this drug. As a future dental

practitioner, we are most likely going to come across cannabis users on a regular basis during our

practice. That is why I believe one must be prepared and confident in discussing the impacts of

cannabis usage on dental and general health, as well as be able to provide or refer to a refer to a

comprehensive assistance program that tackles social habits. There is evidence that cannabis has

a deleterious impact on dental health; however, more research with fewer confounding factors is

needed to produce more precise results. I think it is important that each dental practitioner can

educate their patients who are frequent users of this substance. As a future dental practitioner, it

is critical to acknowledge and be able to educate the patient in a nonjudgmental manner, after all

that a patient has shared sensitive facts about their lives, including their use of a controlled

substance. Patients should also be advised that any information provided and discussed will be

kept private, and that any information will only be shared with their informed consent. This

would build a stronger bond with the patient, as they would be more willing to share their habits.

Building a trust with each patient we provide treatment for is one of the most important skills

that we need, because this will make patients cooperate and be willing to make changes in their

oral health.
 References:

Sheehan, T. (2019). Cannabis and Dentistry. University of Maryland. Retrieved May 24, 2022,

from

https://archive.hshsl.umaryland.edu/bitstream/handle/10713/8848/Sheehan_Cannabis_20

19.pdf?sequence=1

Keboa, Mark Tambe, et al. "Oral health implications of cannabis smoking: A rapid evidence
review." J Can Dent Assoc 86.k2 (2020): 1488-2159.

Teoh, L. (2019, July 15). Oral manifestations of illicit drug use. Wiley Online Library. Retrieved
May 24, 2022, from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/adj.12709