Marijuana smoking linked to gum disease

Smoking marijuana, also called cannabis, may increase a person's risk for gum disease that can lead to tooth loss. Gum or periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. In advanced stages, the gums and bone that support the teeth can become seriously damaged and the teeth can become loose and fall out or have to be removed. Tobacco smoking is known to be bad for the periodontal (gum) tissues, as it is believed to interfere with the immune function, inflammatory response and blood flow in the gums, and cannabis smoking may contribute in a similar way. To study whether or not cannabis smoking too is a risk factor for gum disease, researchers in New Zealand studied more than 900 New Zealanders, born in 1972 and 1973, who smoked cannabis at various stages in their lives. It was found that people who were heavy marijuana users, defined as those who reported smoking an average of 41 or more times annually between ages 18 and 32 years—almost once a week— had triple the risk for severe gum disease and a 60 per cent higher risk for a milder form of it compared to people who did not smoke the drug. These people were aged 32 years when a strong association was identified between marijuana use and gum disease. Many heavy marijuana users also were tobacco smokers, but statistical analysis showed that marijuana increased the risk for gum disease independent of tobacco use. The findings show that in addition to affecting the respiratory and mental health, marijuana has an adverse impact on the gums of its users. However, further research is warranted to confirm a link between marijuana and gum disease.