Long-Term Pot Use Tied to Gum Disease in Study
Curated News:
By Timberlake Dental curated from medlineplus.com
– Image Courtesy of Flickr – Dan Foy
“In an analysis of about 1,000 people who used pot and/or tobacco in New Zealand, those who smoked pot for 20 years didn’t have notable health problems, except for gum disease, the researchers said.
“Unlike tobacco smoking, cannabis smoking is associated with few physical health problems in midlife, with the exception of periodontal disease,” said lead researcher Madeline Meier, an assistant professor of psychology at Arizona State University.
Besides gum health, the researchers assessed lung function, risk factors for heart disease and diabetes, and systemic inflammation, which could indicate a severe response to trauma or infection.”
See full article on medlineplus.com
Commentary:
As stated in the article, ” The study can’t prove that pot causes gum, or periodontal, disease. Still, “physicians should convey to patients that their cannabis use puts them at risk for tooth loss,” Meier said.
Meier can’t say why pot seems to be associated with poor dental health. “Our analyses show that this association was not explained by tobacco smoking, alcohol abuse or less tooth brushing and flossing,” she said.
However, Meier isn’t saying that marijuana doesn’t have negative consequences.”
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