Could CBD be the answer to better oral health? That’s what some researchers are beginning to think.
Cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and analgesic properties — which could make them a valuable tool in the fight against gum disease and tooth decay.
Should you swap your regular toothpaste for a CBD-infused version? Keep reading to find out!
Oral care is all about taking care of your mouth, teeth, and gums.
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.
According to the CDC, some of the best things you can do to maintain oral care are:(1)
If you neglect to take care of your oral health, you risk developing a host of problems — especially in older age. These include:(2)
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it won't get you high. So don't worry, you won't spend your morning in a daze because you added CBD oil to your toothpaste.
CBD has been studied and continues to be studied for a variety of potential medical uses. Some of the most promising research on CBD has shed light on its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
If you're new to the world of CBD, brush up on your CBD knowledge and check out our extensive CBD For Health resources on the blog.
The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities of CBD have been studied for years. These properties might make CBD an effective treatment for gum disease and tooth decay one day.
And CBD companies have already started to produce CBD-infused oral care products, such as toothpaste and mouthwash.
Quick note: No CBD oral care products are currently approved for treating any dental condition by the FDA.
Here are some of the oral care products with CBD that have been popping up on the market:
How do these CBD oral care products work?
CBD toothpaste and mouthwash work in much the same way as regular toothpaste and mouthwash. Except, the added CBD might offer additional benefits like:
CBD-infused floss is formulated to help reduce gum swelling and combat bacteria between the teeth.
But do they really work?
Just because peeps are jumping on the CBD bandwagon, doesn’t necessarily mean that CBD-infused oral care products are effective. For that, we turn to science!
In recent years, the literature on CBD and oral care has been growing.
A 2020 study found that a cannabinoid-infused mouthwash was as effective as chlorhexidine (an antimicrobial used in mouthwash) at inhibiting bacterial activity.(3)
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. Dental plaque was collected from the participants and placed onto two different Petri dishes. Each Petri dish was divided into four sections — making 8 total sections.
The four sections in the first Petri dish included cannabidiol (CBD), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabinol (CBN), and cannabigerol (CBG). The other dish included cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), Oral B toothpaste, Colgate toothpaste, and Cannabrite F (a pomegranate and algae toothpaste).
Astonishingly, the researchers found that the cannabinoids were more effective in reducing bacteria counts in the dental plaques than the commercially-available oral care products.(4)
Does this mean that CBD will soon take over the oral care aisle at your local drugstore?
Not quite. 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.
If you're interested in trying CBD for your oral care routine, there are several ways you can do so.
You can purchase CBD-infused oral care products like toothpaste, mouthwash, floss, and gum.
If you do switch to a fluoride-free toothpaste, be sure you talk to your dentist about how to do so without putting your oral health at risk. They can help you find ways to make sure you’re getting enough fluoride.
You can also go the DIY-way with your favorite CBD oil. Simply add CBD oil to your regular toothpaste or mouthwash.
As always, talk to your dentist before starting any new oral care routine — particularly one that includes CBD.
If you're going to use CBD in your oral care routine, it's important that you find a high-quality product. Whether that’s a CBD-infused toothpaste, or a CBD oil, make sure it’s a product you can trust.
Here are a few things to look for when choosing a quality CBD product:
By following these simple tips, you can boost your chances of finding a quality CBD product.
CBD is the wellness darling of the moment. It's being infused into everything from face creams to gummies — and now it's even making its way into oral care products.
Some of the latest research is giving CBD even more credibility in the oral care world. In the lab, CBD seems to be more or as effective at reducing bacteria as established conventional oral care products.
While more research is needed, CBD is a promising option for those looking for an all-natural way to boost their oral care routine.
References
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