One More Reason Why Pot is Not
Liz has done an outstanding job with her marijuana series this week, hasn’t she? (Bravo, Liz). Alas, there is one more thing I’d like to add to the Pot is Not your Friend List, if I might:
Heavy cannabis use raises your risk for gum disease.
And who wants gums and teeth like those above? Ick.
It’s common knowledge that smoking tobacco is a major risk factor for developing periodontal disease, but how about marijuana? Was it a culprit as well? And if so, how much so?
To answer that query, researches followed about 900 people born in New Zealand in 1972 and 1973. At age 32, about 42% of study participants showed signs of gum disease, 35% of which were pot-smokers.
The study’s lead researcher believes that the biggest contributing factor was not the smoke, but rather the toxins within the cannabis that were absorbed into the blood stream through the lungs. These toxins then found their way to the mouth, preventing the body from healing any gum inflammation caused by everyday factors such as bacteria build-up on the teeth.
Said Professor Thomson, “The problem is not the smoke itself - it’s what is in the smoke.”
He went on to say that there is a fine balance between tissue deconstruction and healing in the mouth, and that the myriad of toxins within the marijuana’s smoke disrupt that balance.
What’s more is the fact that dope-smokers tend to inhale more deeply than cigarette smokers, which might also contribute to the cause.
5 opinions for One More Reason Why Pot is Not
Liz
Feb 23, 2008 at 5:48 am
Great pick up Liberty. I knew about this study but forgot to list it in the round up.
Liberty
Feb 23, 2008 at 12:35 pm
The Timing Gods were with me, Liz. I just happened to open my local paper to see a reference to this study… ;)
Mikeachim
Feb 25, 2008 at 6:20 am
Nasty stuff indeed.
The same applies to cigarette smoking - which seems to inhibit the blood supply and encourage calculus (as in plaque, not Newton’s mathmatical method!)…..both of which aggrivate gum recession.
And also applies to illegal drugs in general, as well. Drug use ruins your teeth and gums. Which is why it’s odd that so many image-conscious celebs go down that road….
Liberty
Feb 26, 2008 at 9:39 pm
It is odd that so many celebs would turn to drug use, Mikeachim. Great observation. Of course, they probably do so to aid in weight loss and keep up with their break-neck schedules, knowing full well some Hollywood Wonder-Dentist will take care of their disgusting teeth.
Drug (and tobacco) use is detrimental on so many levels. It’s a pity so many people are affected.
P.S. Thanks for that Calculus 101 lesson. I had no idea calculus was anything other than the most wretched of math methods known to man. ;) See, you really do learn something new every day!
Ken Long
Jul 1, 2008 at 2:16 am
I shudder when I realize that Pot causes gum disease. This is a disease that could have you in a very embarrassing situation.
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Ken Long
Addiction Recovery Arkansas
Addiction Recovery Arkansas
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