Is Smoking Cannabis a Risk Factor for Periodontal Disease? - July 20, 2022

Periodontitis disease, also known as gum disease, infects the gums and the surrounding soft tissue. If left untreated, it can destroy the bones which are crucial for supporting teeth. As a result, sufferers end up losing teeth. According to the CDC, 47.2% of American adults over the age of 30 have some form of periodontitis disease.

So, does smoking cannabis increase the risk of you getting this disease? Well, according to studies, the answer is yes. However, Cannabis in itself, is not harmful. Smoking anything is harmful for your oral health. In fact, cannabis is a natural form of medication, known to help millions of U.S. citizens relieve symptoms of the disease.

More and more people are enrolling for a medical marijuana card in the US all to explore the benefits of cannabis. If you

So, if you are one of these millions of people, and wish to continue using cannabis for medical reasons, do you have to give it up to stay safe from gum disease? No! You absolutely don’t! Keep reading to find out more.

Related – Health Benefits of Medical Marijuana

How to Consume Cannabis Without Getting Periodontal Disease?

For medical marijuana patients, the benefits of cannabis are far too important to give up on using it. However, there are alternative methods of consumption that can help you continue using cannabis without worrying about the periodontal disease. But remember to consult your physician about the same first. You can always visit a doctor near you or visit Online Medical Card for a quick online evaluation for an MMJ card. It will help you start the right way.

Edibles

Edibles are one of the most popular methods of consuming cannabis. Their only drawback is how long it takes them to impart their effects. Let’s have a look at their benefits:

• Delicious taste – available in many brands and flavors
• No smoke would enter your lungs
• They are a lot more potent than other methods of administration. Usually one gummy would be enough. If you make edibles at home, you can adjust the potency accordingly.

Related – How Long Do Edibles Stay in Your System?

Cooking edibles is also a great way to use the cannabis flower after you decide on not smoking anymore. However, you need to wait at least an hour or two to feel their effects. Do not consume a high amount thinking that you have high tolerance, because the effects will hit you all at once.

Topicals

Topicals are products that can be applied directly to the skin, such as balms, lotions, oils, infused patches, etc. Cannabis topicals are simply infused with cannabis, so you can apply them to the area you wish to treat. They are known to work only on the targeted area.

For instance, if you are suffering from neck pain, applying a cannabis topical on the affected area would soothe your neck. Since topicals do not have any intoxicating effects, they are a popular choice amongst medical users. Besides pain, they are also effective in relieving:

• Stress
• Sleep troubles
• Skin inflammation , severe itching, and several skin diseases like eczema

Tinctures

Oils and tinctures are usually mentioned together, and some people even use these terms interchangeably, but they are different. Although they both contain hemp/cannabis-derived CBD, oils are separated by applying heat and pressure, using the carbon dioxide method. It is safe, quick, and efficient, and also approved by the FDA.

On the other hand, tinctures are extracted using alcohol. The result is CBD mixed with alcohol, which is also responsible for their bitter taste. Tinctures also have a longer shelf life than oils and should only be consumed orally. It is not advised to use tinctures topically.

Oral Ingestion

Cannabis products that you can consume orally are not exactly the same as edibles. While technically edibles are consumed orally, there are many other products such as drinks that fall under this category. CBD/ Delta 8 THC drinks have become quite popular recently.

You can usually find cannabis-infused drinks in packages that contain one serving. They also come in a variety of flavors, so you won’t have any trouble switching from other methods of cannabis consumption.

If you live in one of the 18 states with recreational marijuana, you can also find some “weed cafes” in your locality. Here, you can purchase “pot brownies,” cookies, and other recipes. Moreover, you can add oils and tinctures to your morning tea/ coffee. This allows you to boost your overall wellness, first thing in the morning.

Conclusion

If you are worried about developing Periodontal Disease from smoking, turn to one of the aforementioned ways of administering cannabis.

If you have any additional queries related to medical issues, or wish to get a quick consultation for an MMJ card, Online Medical Card is the perfect place for you! Receive your medical card through email, without even stepping outside your home.