Volume 2 - Issue 3 (May-Jul)

Oral Health Aspects of Cannabis Use
Review Article
Ramandeep Singh Gambhir*, Prabhleen Brar**, Sameer Anand † , Amaninder Ranhawa ‡ , Heena Kakar #
Abstract
The use of cannabis, both medicinal and recreational, is growing. There are three main forms of cannabis: Marijuana, hash
and hash oil, all of which contain the main psychoactive constituent THC. Many people are getting addicted to Marijuana,
ignorant of its harmful effects on health. Today, cannabis abuse is a major concern because of its negative effects on general
and oral health. Cannabis users are more prone to develop dental caries, xerostomia, alveolar bone loss, pre-cancerous oral
lesions and other oral infections. The debate over the personal use of marijuana in around the world is extremely contentious
with supporters for decriminalization and legalization, and others who assert the importance of strict prohibition. Public
should have the best information at their disposal about the harms and risks associated with using cannabis in any form.
The present review will throw a spot light on the global prevalence of cannabis use and some of the important oral health
effects of cannabis abuse, which are an important concern to a dental professional.
Key words: Cannabis, oral health, oral cancer, legislation
Cannabis is the generic term used for the
psychoactive substance derived from the three
species of the cannabis plant. The cannabis
plant, cannabis sativa, originated in central Asia and
was introduced into India in the 8th century BC,
where it was used for religious ceremonies and medical
purposes. Subsequently, cannabis was widely used
to treat gastric complaints, headaches, coughing,
hepatitis, gout, ‘hard tumors’, tetanus and rabies. 1
Cannabis contains a unique group of chemicals,
namely cannabinoids, some of which are psychoactive.
Cannabis contains 66 cannabinoids. The most potent
psychoactive substance is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol
(THC). However, despite the potential benefits, the
nonmedical use of cannabis can have adverse effects on
the general, mental and oral health of users particularly
when used regularly for an extended period of time. 2
There are three main forms of cannabis: Marijuana,
hash and hash oil. Cannabis has become more closely
*Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Public Health Dentistry
Gian Sagar Dental College and Hospital, Rajpura, Punjab
**Assistant Professor, Dept. of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics
Punjab University Dental College, Chandigarh
†
Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Periodontics
Rayat and Bahra Dental College, Punjab
‡
Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Public Health Dentistry
Sri Guru Ram Dass Dental College, Amritsar
#
Consultant, Apollo Dental Centre, Chandigarh
Address for correspondence
Dr Ramandeep Singh Gambhir
E-mail: raman1g@yahoo.co.in
linked to youth culture and the age of initiation is
usually lower than for other drugs. Cannabis, in the
form of hash and marijuana is thought to be the most
frequently used drug in the United States. 3,4 There
has been a documented link shown between cannabis
smoking and many intraoral disturbances. 5 The present
paper focuses on some of the major implications on
oral health regarding the use of cannabis by people
worldwide.
Global Prevalence of Cannabis Use
Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Europe,
Australia and throughout the western world. About
147 million people, 2.5% of the world population,
consume cannabis (annual prevalence) compared
with 0.2% consuming cocaine and 0.2% consuming
opiates. Nearly, 40% of Australian population aged 14
and above (over 5 million people) have tried cannabis,
and 18% have used it in the last 12 months. As many
as 45% of 14-19 years old and 64% of 20-29 years old
have used cannabis at least once in their life. Estimates
suggest that by the age of 21, 80% of young people
in New Zealand will have used cannabis on at least
one occasion with 10% developing a pattern of heavy
dependent use. 6 In Europe, one out of 5 adults has used
cannabis at least once in his or her lifetime. Estimates
of the actual use of cannabis (use during the past 12
months) in 15-34 years old in Europe vary from 5%
to 20%. On a global basis, regular use of cannabis is
Indian Journal of Multidisciplinary Dentistry, Vol. 2, Issue 3, May-July 2012
507