effects of Marijuana: dental decay, infections, cancer Posted: 01-27-08 16:59pm
Cannabis affects almost every system of
the body, particularly the cardiovascular,
respiratory and immune systems. It
also has acute and chronic effects on the
mental health of some users. Therefore,
chronic abuse is a concern because of its
negative effects on general physical
and mental health. Cannabis abusers
generally have poorer oral health than
non-users, with an increased risk of
dental caries and periodontal diseases.
Cannabis smoke acts as a carcinogen and is
associated with dysplastic changes and
pre-malignant lesions within the oral
mucosa. Users are also prone to oral
infections, possibly due to the
immunosuppressive effects. Dental
treatment on
patients intoxicated on cannabis can
result in the patient experiencing acute
anxiety, dysphoria and psychotic-like
paranoiac thoughts. The use of local
anaesthetic containing epinephrine may
seriously prolong tachycardia already
induced by an acute dose of cannabis. Oral
health care providers should be aware
of the diverse adverse effects of cannabis
on general and oral health and
incorporate questions about patients'
patterns of use in the medical history.
