A recent study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association1 examined the impact of frequent recreational cannabis (FRC) use on dental health using data from 5,656 participants (representing 142.4 million US adults aged 18-59 years) in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The study assessed untreated coronal and root caries, as well as severe tooth loss.

The study found that 29.34% of participants (approximately 418 million people) reported FRC use, defined as cannabis use at least once a month for a year or more. Compared to non-users, FRC users exhibited higher rates of untreated dental issues: 27.64% had untreated coronal caries (vs. 20.18% of non-users), 16.44% had untreated root caries (vs. 9.03%), and 6.50% experienced severe tooth loss (vs. 4.23%).

After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, alcohol use, and other covariates, FRC users were found to have a 17% higher likelihood of untreated coronal caries, a 55% higher likelihood of untreated root caries, and a 41% higher likelihood of severe tooth loss. However, these associations were no longer statistically significant after accounting for smoking, suggesting that smoking may mediate the observed effects.

The authors propose that cannabis-related oral health issues may stem from a combination of factors, including:

  • Reduced saliva buffering capacity

  • Dietary changes associated with cannabis-induced appetite stimulation (favouring high-sugar foods)

  • Chronic oral inflammation due to chemicals in cannabis smoke, which can lead to periodontitis and mucosal lesions.

The findings emphasise the importance of dental professionals discussing cannabis use with patients and providing tailored preventive care to mitigate risks.