26 May Frequent Marijuana Use Linked To Increased Risk of Severe Periodontal Disease

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Shariff

Jaffer A Shariff DDS MPH cert.DPH
Periodontal Resident | Research Scientist
Division of Periodontics,
Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
New York

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Response: Marijuana use for both medical and recreational purposes has become increasingly common in recent years; it is the most commonly used recreational drug in the United States. Subsequent increase in its legalization among countries including the United States for recreational purposes, poses an emergent oral and periodontal health concerns.

Our study revealed that frequent recreational marijuana users exhibited deeper periodontal probing depths, clinical attachment loss and higher odds of having severe periodontal disease than the non-frequent users, even after controlling for other risk factors linked to gum disease, such as cigarette smoking.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: Given the worldwide tendency toward decriminalization of recreational cannabis use and the resulting potential increased use among young adults, medical/dental professionals and users should be made aware of its deleterious effects and appreciate the role of marijuana consumption as a potential risk factor for periodontitis.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: Long-term follow up studies and interventional clinical trials are recommended to further substantiate these findings, focusing on the mechanistic role of cannabis use and gums disease.

No disclosures

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

Relationship Between Frequent Recreational Cannabis (Marijuana and Hashish) Use and Periodontitis in Adults in the United States: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011 to 2012
Jaffer A Shariff 1 , Kavita P Ahluwalia 2 , Panos N Papapanou 1
J Periodontol 88 (3), 273-280. 2016 Oct 08

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Last Updated on May 26, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD