Does Smoking Marijuana Cause Gum Disease
Periodontal or gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support the teeth. When the bone and tissue become severely damaged teeth can fall out.
Smoking Marijuana (joint, weed, reefer, blunts, pot, grass, Mary Jane, hashish, nail) may not be risk free as once thought. A study of New Zealanders conducted by Dr. W. Murray Thomson of The Dunedin School of Medicine indicated the risk of early gum disease (periodontal disease) increases with the frequency of use. There were over 900 New Zealanders participating in the study ranging in ages from 18 to 32. They were divided into 3 groups, no exposure (32.3%), some (47.4%) and high exposure (20.2%).
Those with the greatest risk for gum disease had the most exposure.
Marijuana contains three times the tar of tobacco cigarettes but no nicotine. Once more, scientists have found it to contain at least 400 toxins.
The active ingredient in Cannabis is THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) a substance known to impede proper functioning of the immune system.
More Bad News
- Toxins in marijuana can also impair the body’s circulation, ability to carry oxygen and repair itself.
- Cannabis smokers tend to inhale deeply and hold the smoke allowing for increase absorption of toxins into the body.
Researchers believe that Marijuana smoking causes gum disease by behaving much in the same way smoking tobacco cigarettes does. It interferes with the immune system’s ability to fight off infection.
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Tags: cannabis oral infection, cannabis smoking, dental disease, gum infection, marijuana immune system, marijuana smoking cause gum disease, periodontal disease cannabis, tobacco smokers, tooth decay, tooth disease
December 3rd, 2010 at 4:24 AM
I never knew that Marijuana could cause gum disease, not so sure about this study and it’s validity, but this is new to me. Interesting concept though, thanks.