Cannabis Use and Oral Health in a National Cohort of Adults

ABSTRACT

Background: Cannabis use is common and increasing among adults. Evidence connects cannabis use to poor periodontal health, but few prospective studies exist of adults in the United States.

Methods: This investigation examined associations between cannabis use and self-reported adverse oral health conditions among participants (N = 18,872) in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, a nationally representative cohort. Survey-weighted regression modeling estimated associations between cannabis use and seven self-reported measures of oral health status, adjusted for tobacco use and other disease risk factors.

Results: Reporting past-30-days cannabis use in any of PATH Waves 1–3 was positively and statistically significantly associated at Wave 4 with multiple periodontal disease sequalae and with self-rated fair or poor overall oral health (adjusted odds ratio versus never-users: 1.75; 95% confidence interval: 1.52, 2.01).

Conclusions: These findings provide further evidence that cannabis use is an independent risk factor for poor oral health, although study limitations (self-reported outcomes, limited information on cannabis use frequency and modality) must be considered.

Practical implications: Dental professionals should engage patients in clear, nonjudgmental dialogue about cannabis use to address oral health risks and avoid potential patient safety issues in care delivery. General recommendations for addressing cannabis use in dental practice are presented.