Cannabis-Infused Toothpaste – Cannabis is better than toothpaste for tooth decay, says new dental study

While we are aware of the myriad of benefits cannabis has for our overall health, one of the least understood aspects is its benefits for oral and dental health. And while no one likes going to the dentist, oral health shouldn’t be taken for granted in the way many people take it.

Tooth decay and tooth decay are among the most common non-communicable but chronic dental problems that both adults and children suffer from. Tooth decay occurs when we eat starchy, carbohydrate-rich foods and don’t brush our teeth well afterwards. The bacteria from these foods turn into acids in the mouth, and when they combine with saliva and other food debris, the enamel that protects our teeth breaks down over time. Any diet high in carbohydrates, salt and sugar can promote tooth decay. Other common causes of tooth decay are gradual tooth decay and plaque.

You can prevent tooth decay by making sure you always brush your teeth, especially after meals, avoiding sugary foods, and flossing.

But no matter how hard we try, sometimes voids are unavoidable.

How hemp helps

Cannabis has gotten a bad rap for its effects on oral health. But there are studies that say the opposite.

In 2020, a study published in the Cureus Journal of Medical Science revealed that some cannabinoids in marijuana are effective at eliminating bacterial colonies — and much better at doing so when compared to toothpaste. Researchers found that the cannabinoids tested against popular toothpaste brands Colgate, Oral B, and a herbal toothpaste called Cannabite F were CBD, CBN, CBC, CBGA, and CBG.

For the study, plaque samples were taken from 60 healthy people. They were then given a solution containing a mixture of the cannabinoids or a toothpaste. They found that the cannabis solutions performed better when it came to stopping bacterial growth compared to the traditional toothpaste brands.

“Cannabinoids have the potential to be used as an effective antibacterial agent against bacteria associated with dental plaque,” the researchers said. “In addition, it offers a safer alternative to synthetic antibiotics to reduce the development of drug resistance.”

They also explained that cannabinoids offer the added benefit of preventing antibiotic-resistant infections including MRSA. “Although commercially available oral care products are significantly effective in maintaining oral hygiene in the general population, our study found that cannabinoids significantly reduced the colony count of plaque bacterial strains compared to established synthetic oral care products such as Oral B and Colgate,” they wrote.

That being said, there are studies from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) showing how beneficial CBD is in eliminating the bacteria Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus, which help reduce the risk of tooth decay.

Colgate Recognizes Benefits of CBD, Acquired Hello

The effectiveness of CBD in oral care has been recognized by global toothpaste brand Colgate as they have created an entirely new page on their website dedicated to explaining the benefits of CBD for dental health.

On the site, they discuss CBD’s potential oral health benefits, including its ability to reduce inflammation, treat bad breath and sensitivity, reduce the risk of tooth decay, promote tooth remineralization, and reduce bacteria that cause tooth decay.

In fact, in April 2021, Colgate-Palmolive, a major personal care and hygiene company, created and wrote three patients for the development of CBD-infused oral care products. They said the formulations would later be used to develop products such as toothpaste, chewing gum, oral gels, mouth sprays and mouthwash.

“Accordingly, there is a need for oral care products with antibacterial activity that are also tasty and desirable for the user,” they write in their patent applications. “…Without being bound by theory, it is believed that oral care compositions containing cannabinoids such as CBD exhibit antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, for example, and are well-suited to treating a variety of oral diseases and disorders,” said Colgate.

Additionally, in early 2020, Colgate-Palmolive announced that they would acquire Hello Oral Care, a rapidly growing oral care brand that has a portfolio of CBD-infused oral care products. “Colgate is the ideal partner for Hello with a like-minded commitment to the best oral health for consumers, the environment and our communities,” said Mr. Dubitsky, Founder of Hello.

Using CBD for Oral Care

The oral care niche is one of the slower-growing segments of the CBD and cannabis industry. Compared to the benefits of CBD for anxiety, inflammation, depression, insomnia, and pain, there is a lack of research on its use in oral care.

That’s not to say people don’t see the potential — after all, Colgate has already seen it. There are already several CBD oral care products on the market that can help you prevent bacterial growth and inflammation in your mouth to reduce the occurrence of cavities and other harmful dental problems. The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD are well documented and thousands of people can benefit from reducing inflammation in the mouth and gums.

Just remember that CBD is not a one-time solution to all dental problems; You should still practice good dental hygiene and see your dentist regularly for best results.

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