New research shows cannabis is bad for dental health
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
A study by New Zealand researchers have found that regular cannabis use causes the gums to recede and, in the worst cases, teeth to fall out.
Periodontal disease, the second-biggest cause of tooth loss after cavities had been thought of as a disease of middle age.
The periodontal disease affected the heaviest smokers worst, with one in four having the chronic condition by the age of 32.
Researchers at the Dunedin School of Medicine tracked more than 900 people from age 18 to 32, regularly monitoring their dope smoking habits and dental check-ups.
In the most recent check-up they found just 6.5 per cent of the non-dope smokers were showing strong signs of inflammation and tissue decay associated with periodontal disease.
The disease was present in 11 per cent of those with an occasional cannabis habit. But among those admitting to heavier use - smoking more than 40 times since the age of 18 - 24 per cent had the condition.
Overall, the heaviest smokers had a 60 per cent increased risk of having the disease, even after controlling for other possible influences like dental plaque.
Previous studies have linked cigarette smoking with periodontal disease but this research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, is the first to implicate cannabis use.
The report's authors, say the study shows a "strong association ... (that) indicates long-term smoking of cannabis is detrimental to the periodontal tissues".
"Health promoters and dental and medical practitioners should take steps to raise awareness of the strong probability that regular cannabis users may be doing damage to the tissues that support their teeth."
Source:
AAP at http://www.smh.com.au/news/health/Accessed 6 February 2008