1. Home>
2. Physician's First Watch>
3. Medical News

Cannabis Smoking Associated with Increased Risk for Periodontal Disease

Cannabis smoking may be a risk factor for periodontal disease, according to a prospective cohort study in JAMA.

The study, conducted in New Zealand, followed about 900 adults from age 18 to 32. After controlling for tobacco use and other risk factors, the researchers found that by age 32, heavy cannabis users (41 or more times in the previous year) were three times more likely to have periodontal disease (at least one site with 5 mm or greater combined attachment loss) than those who'd never used cannabis.

The authors say caregivers "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." An editorialist notes that the study adds to evidence that destructive periodontal disease occurs at earlier ages than previously thought.

LINK(S):

JAMA article (Free)

JAMA editorial (Subscription required)

Reuters story (Free)

Published in Physician's First Watch February 6, 2008