New Zealand study finds smoking marijuana increases gum disease risk

Heavy smokers of marijuana are more likely to suffer from gum disease that eventually leads to tooth loss, according to a New Zealand study that followed 903 people.
Posted : Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:21:05 GMT
By : Pat Fryer
Category : Health
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Heavy smokers of marijuana are more likely to suffer from gum disease that eventually leads to tooth loss, according to a New Zealand study that followed 903 people.

Earlier studies had shown that smoking pot increased the risk of lung disease and of mental health problems, but this is the first study to link it to increased risk of gum disease. Researchers from the University of Otago in New Zealand followed 903 people born in 1972 and 1973.

The researchers assessed use of cannabis in these people at ages 18, 21, 26, and 32 years. All 903 participants had dental check-up at ages 26 and 32.

The researchers divided the participants into three groups; those with no exposure to cannabis numbered 293, while 428 people reported some exposure to it. The last group had 182 people with high exposure to the drug.

The researchers found that heavy cannabis smokers had three times the risk of developing gum disease as opposed to non-smokers. Tobacco smoking was also taken into consideration before collating the results because tobacco is also known to cause gum disease. Some 29 percent of the heavy marijuana smokers developed gum disease.

“The study's demonstration of a strong association between cannabis use and periodontitis experience by age 32 years indicates that long-term smoking of cannabis is detrimental to the periodontal tissues and that public health measures to reduce the prevalence of cannabis smoking may have periodontal benefits for the population," the authors led by Dr r W. Murray Thomson wrote.

The details of the study appear in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Pot Study
By: Fredbear , Fri, 08 Feb 2008 22:08:39 GMT

What would be interesting is to find out the eating and drinking habits of the test subjects.
Nutrition is the number one ally in maintaining a healthy, well balanced body and mind.
With a well balanced diet, the human body is extremely adept at maintaining health.
Heavy long term use of dairy products and meat has been linked to the high incidence of heart disease and stomach cancer in this country, yet educating people on this fact seems to be a low priority.
Stop Demonizing Pot and take a hard look at the way Alcholol is contributing to Road deaths, Liver disease and the breaking up of families
On a scale of one to ten of societies banes, Pot doesn't even register in my opinion.
Do a study on the heavy long term use of soft drinks and post that in Google News..



Lame Justification for War on Drugs
By: proppa-gander , Wed, 06 Feb 2008 21:07:48 GMT

"public health measures to reduce the prevalence of cannabis smoking may have periodontal benefits for the population"
Yes, persecute all pot smokers to protect heavy pot smokers from gum disease. Surely there's a toothbrush
that could improve their gums. What a load of codswallop.


Fear-mongers
By: Geminate , Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:44:12 GMT

Pot has nothing to do with it. Smoking anything can lead to premature gum disease if you do not take care of your teeth well to begin with. Even smoking tobacco pipes and cigars can lead to gum disease, where one doesn't even inhale smoke into the lungs. Chewing tobacco WILL lead to premature gum disease and possibly gum cancer. Heavy drinking can lead to premature gum disease. Mouthwash that burns the gums has been proven to promote gum cancer. Not brushing your teeth frequently WILL lead to premature gum disease. Over-brushing your teeth WILL lead to receding gums and possibly disease and tooth loss.


Medical Mendacity
By: Titus , Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:31:13 GMT

Heavy cannabis smokers who also smoke tobacco? Are you high? What kind of garbage story is this?

What does it say? Eat pot brownies is what it says.



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