According to the Surgeon General, over 80% of adults have some level of gum disease. This condition which begins with inflammation and slight bleeding when brushing can lead to loss of tissue, bone, and eventually teeth. Beyond that, gum disease has been linked to serious health issues like heart disease and diabetes. Luckily there are several options to halt gum disease in its tracks—and one of those is CBD oil. Keep reading to learn how CBD oil is an important part of preventative dentistry.
CBD is the compound cannabidiol, which is found in the cannabis plant, Cannabis sativa. Yes, this is the same plant that produces high-inducing marijuana, but the good news is that CBD oil does not have the same affect. CBD oil contains absolutely no THC (the compound that makes you high). CBD oil is does not produce a high, but it contains several powerful compounds, known as cannabinoids, that can work wonders in the oral environment. These compounds can interact with your endocannabinoid system to induce your body to protect your mouth and its tissues.
Recent studies have shown CBD oil to be anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal. When we eat, kiss, share food (even dip from the same bowl), or get sick—we expose our mouths to acids, bacteria, fungi, and other hostile substances. Exposing our mouths to these substances can lead to gum disease, especially as we age. Brushing and flossing with regularity helps, but even some toothpastes can upset the delicate balance of our mouths. This is where CBD oil can help. It’s anti-inflammatory and other helpful properties can restore balance needed for healthy gum tissue.
Well, in some cases, yes. However, those who have diets high in refined carbs (white breads, cereals, sugars) are compromising their oral health. Furthermore, although most of us brush our teeth twice a day, we often don’t brush long enough or thoroughly. Even worse, some of the oral products we use, such as alcohol-based mouth washes, kill all the good bacteria that lives in our mouths. Plus, adults who have a good deal of dental work have more difficulty in cleaning their teeth. Fillings and other restorative dental work often harbor bacteria more than teeth that haven’t had work done. The margins of fillings can be very difficult to clean with a toothbrush and floss.
First, CBD oil combats harmful bacteria and fungi without completely destroying the good microbes that live in our mouths. Our “microbiome” is the composition of all the good microbes that live in our body and perform important functions. Therefore, we don’t want to kill every micro-organism that lives in our mouths, just the ones that damage our teeth and gums. CBD supports our oral microbiome. What’s more, CBD oil neutralizes acidity in the mouth. Our mouth likes to be at a happy pH of about six or seven. However, many of our favorite foods and drinks (looking at you coffee & soda!) have a very acidic pH of three-to-four. When your saliva drops below the optimal pH to become more acidic, it can’t protect your oral structures as it should. This can lead to sensitivity to heat and cold, cavities, irritated gums, and bad breath. Furthermore, CBD oil acts as an antioxidant. This means that it helps undo the damage that our cells undergo as a result of pollution, UV rays, substances found in food, and other chemicals found in the body. All of these properties of CBD oil work to support oral health.
As you can see, CBD oil is a major win for oral health care. Seemingly small complaints like bad breath and tender gums can mean big problems down the road, like gum disease, which can spell bone and tooth loss. Feel free to discuss incorporating CBD oil into your oral care at your next appointment. Call or click to schedule an appointment and learn how CBD oil can fit into your oral care regimen.
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