The study’s demonstration of a
strong association between cannabis
use and periodontitis experience by
age 32 years indicates that long-term
smoking of cannabis is detrimental to
the periodontal tissues and that public
health measures to reduce the prevalence
of cannabis smoking may have
periodontal benefits for the population.

To our knowledge, no previous
studies have examined this relationship,
so there are no data with which
to compare the findings. Determining
whether the association exists in other
populations should be a priority for
periodontal epidemiological research.

The nature of the biological mechanism
for the observed association is
currently unclear. The periodontal
effects of tobacco smoke are thought
to occur via the systemic effects of
nicotine and other toxic constituents
on immune function and the inflammatory
response within the periodontal
tissues. Cannabis contains more
than 400 compounds, including more
than 60 cannabinoids; the noncannabinoid
constituents are similar to
tobacco (except for nicotine), and
those have been reported to carry systemic
health risks and have histopathological
effects that are similar to
those of tobacco smoke.

Although definitively establishing the
periodontal effects of exposure to cannabis
smoke we should await confirmation
in other populations and settings,
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: Jama Feb.6 2008 Vol.299 No.5