Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease)

Gingivitis is a form of mild gum disease (periodontal disease) that causes irritation, redness and swelling (inflammation) of your gingiva, the part of your gum around the base of your teeth. It usually arises due to a buildup of plaque. Left untreated, gingivitis can cause bad breath (halitosis), gum abscesses and tooth loss. Switching to an electric toothbrush, following a low sugar diet, flossing and seeing an oral hygienist for teeth cleaning are common first line treatments for gingivitis.

Due to cannabis’s ability to dry out the mouth, it may potentially make gingivitis worse. Smoking cannabis (or anything) may also aggravate any gum inflammation. However, cannabidiol (CBD) oil may be useful for its anti-inflammatory, pain-inhibiting and antibacterial properties, meaning there may be some use for medical cannabis in treating gum disease if dosed appropriately.

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