Cannabis Linked to Elevated Risk of Periodontitis

Recreational cannabis users may be at elevated risk of periodontal disease, according to a study published in the Journal of Periodontology. In the report, “Relationship Between Frequent Recreational Cannabis (Marijuana and Hashish) Use and Periodontitis in Adults in the United States: NHANES 2011–2012,” the authors defined frequent recreational users as those who had used cannabis at least once a month for a year. They found that frequent users presented with deeper probing depths, more clinical attachment loss, and higher risk of severe periodontitis than subjects who used cannabis less frequently.

Frequent users had an average of 29.2 sites with pocket probing depths of ≥4 mm, 24.8 sites with pocket depths of ≥6 mm, and 24.5 sites with pocket depths of at least 8 mm. By comparison, subjects who reported less frequent cannabis use presented with an average of 22.3, 19.2 and 18.9 sites, respectively.

The study assessed data that were reported to be a representative sampling of U.S. adults ages 30 to 59. It was collected as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2012 that was conducted by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with the American Academy of Periodontology.

From Decisions in Dentistry. December 2016;2(12):11.