An international study suggests that daily cannabis use over a span of 20 years is associated with poor gum health, but not responsible for any other early to mid-life health problems.
“Across several domains of health (periodontal health, lung function, systemic inflammation, and metabolic health), clear evidence of an adverse association with cannabis use was apparent for only one domain, namely, periodontal health.”
Researchers studied cannabis users living in New Zealand at ages 18, 21, 26, 32, and 38. They found that 38-year-olds who are regular users suffer from weak gums, and that those 26-years-old and up have declining gum health.
“Cannabis use was unrelated to other physical health problems. Unlike cannabis use, tobacco use was associated with worse lung function, systemic inflammation, and metabolic health at age 38 years, as well as within-individual decline in health from ages 26 to 38 years.”
This study serves as a reminder for cannabis consumers and patients to give oral health a little extra care and to schedule regular dentist appointments.
Read the full study published in JAMA Psychiatry entitled “Associations Between Cannabis Use and Physical Health Problems in Early Midlife”.