Maintaining good oral hygiene is a quintessential responsibility for us as individuals. This includes brushing and flossing your teeth, as well as making healthy lifestyle choices that can reduce your risk of developing cavities or gum disease. If you neglect to take care of your oral health, you risk developing many problems — especially in older age. These include tooth decay, tooth loss, and gum disease…. While fluoride is by far the most important mineral you can utilize to combat tooth decay, cannabidiol has also shown some promise against oral bacteria known for causing cavities. While at-home brushing and flossing should never be replaced with the use of substances like cannabidiol alone, it’s worth exploring the ways in which it can benefit your oral health
The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities of CBD have been studied for years, and recently, the literature on CBD and oral care has been growing. These properties might make CBD an effective treatment for gum disease and tooth decay one day.
A 2020 study found that a cannabinoid-infused mouthwash can be as effective as chlorhexidine (an antimicrobial used in mouthwash) at an inhibiting bacterial activity. If CBD is truly as effective as chlorhexidine at reducing plaque and gingivitis, it could be a game-changer for naturally-derived oral care.
In another study, a group of scientists recruited 60 adults to compare the effectiveness of cannabinoids versus commercially-available oral care products. Astonishingly, the researchers found that cannabinoids were more effective in reducing bacteria counts in dental plaques than the commercially-available oral care products. Nevertheless, these studies are small and more research needs to be done to confirm CBD’s efficacy in dental care. But these current findings sure make us smile.
CBD works to reduce inflammation and encourage healthy bacteria to develop. As one of the most natural ways to improve your oral health, CBD is an anti-inflammatory and an antibacterial and antifungal substance that helps stimulate the bone, restore, and enhance oral health.
Other potential added benefits of CBD are:
It prevents cavities
Reduces the chances of developing tooth decay
Lessens the risk of gum disease
It accelerates healing and recovery time
Assists in creating balance within the body
Finding Quality CBD For Oral Care
If you’re going to use CBD in your oral care routine, it’s essential that you find a high-quality product. Whether CBD-infused toothpaste or a CBD mouthwash, ensure it’s a product you can trust.
Here are a few things to look for when choosing a quality CBD product:
Make sure the CBD is lab-tested, and the results are available for you to see.
Check the serving size and make sure the CBD concentration is clearly marked on the product.
Research the company for its reputation in the industry and amongst consumers.
At this time, dentists do need more time to study CBD and its effects on cavity-causing bacteria before recommending it to patients. But to think that it could play a role in maintaining your oral health and managing other common conditions is truly promising. With that said, the best thing you can do for your oral health is to perform consistent brushing and flossing as well as visit a dentist once a year for a check-up and cleaning!