Marijuana has a lot of amazing therapeutic qualities and among them is weed’s excellent analgesic qualities. Cannabis has been used in the treatment of different kinds of pain including headaches, migraines, muscle pain, and joint pain. But do you know that marijuana for tooth pain is possible?
You can relieve pain, very strong toothache pain, and thus, you can quickly return to your previous activity.
What makes cannabis effective for toothaches?
The secret to cannabis’ effectiveness for pain are its prominent cannabinoids. THC or tetrahydrocannabinol and CBD or cannabidiol may come from one cannabis plant but each has different functions.
THC is a compound with psychedelic effects which means it can make you high. A strain with high THC also has therapeutic qualities and this makes it effective for many kinds of pain even something as complicated as chronic pain.
Also, studies show that CBD, the therapeutic cannabis compound, can help treat abscesses, toothaches, periodontitis, and other post-surgery concerns.
At present, there is very little research in the pain-killing and therapeutic effects of weed in the field of dentistry. Some studies showed that patients gave inconsistent reports to the effectiveness of CBD. Some say that CBD helped them with toothaches while some did not feel any relief. This is why many still doubt the effectiveness of cannabis when it comes to toothaches.
However, it was clear and is very much accepted that CBD can treat different conditions related to dental health including common dental problems like abscesses, periodontitis, and other conditions. Most of these dental conditions may affect the growth and development of teeth and thus, leads to the cure of toothaches as well.
Why do toothaches happen?
Toothaches happen due to bacterial action leading to an infection, inside the inner sections of the tooth are nerves and blood vessels that can help us feel pain, cold, touch, and heat. In the inner teeth, there’s also dentine and this hurts when the teeth or gums are infected.
Right after eating, the food leaves a sticky film on teeth and this consists of sugar and starches. When this film is not removed, bacteria start to develop from the film and this can spread to the deeper areas of the teeth leading to an infection or a toothache. This can become so severe that your teeth can be destroyed in time. The bacteria thrive in this acidic environment which can reach the inner portions of the teeth, to the dentine. Bacteria can enter the bloodstream and this leads to swelling causing pressure on the nerves and pain.
Toothaches may also be due to periodontal disease. This is inflammation of the gums and the bones where teeth grow. Teeth affected with periodontal disease, develop a hollow area between every tooth which becomes deeper as time passes by. This disease results in overlapping, very crooked teeth that’s very painful. People with periodontal disease may also suffer from stress, hormonal diseases, and poor diet.
No matter what the cause of a toothache, you must check with a dentist especially if this is a severe or a chronic toothache. It’s also important to get a dental check-up along with regular cleaning at least twice a year to prevent any kind of dental problem.
How high CBD strains help our teeth
Dentists will prescribe an analgesic for toothaches, and antibacterial to deal with bacteria in the teeth and gums and an anti-inflammatory to stop swelling. You’ll end up taking three, four, or more medications several times a day.
But if you want a more natural approach to deal with toothaches and inflammation then cannabis could be the treatment for you. Cannabinoids and terpenes in cannabis plants have analgesic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties as well.
The body has natural responses for inflammation to fight any viral or bacterial attack. Also, the body has many cannabinoid receptors that reduce immune system response when this binds with CBD, and this results in reduced inflammation.
The submandibular glands are peppered with endocannabinoid receptors and this is where topical CBD treatments are applied. According to some studies, CBD is not just an analgesic but also an antiseptic and antibacterial. This means CBD can keep bacteria at bay inside the oral cavity.
Another study also revealed that CBD can be used to halt bone resorption that’s the classic sign of periodontal disease. But for CBD to help ease bone resorption, the treatment must be applied deeper within the gum. To this day, no such treatment has been conceived.
In a study on such disease in rats, CBD effects were tested on rats in a model where periodontitis was induced. The research revealed that the animals that received CBD treatment had a reduced bone loss.
Marijuana for toothaches and improved dental health
Oral intake of CBD is known to be safe as evidenced by products like oils and tinctures. With this assumption, medicating with CBD through direct gum application (on the aching tooth and inflamed gums) could be a secure, quick, and effective method.
Different CBD products are used to reduce toothaches and manage to swell. There are commercially-manufactured oral sprays, tinctures, and oils that can be applied with a cotton swab to the affected area. Take note that your hands and fingers should be very clean and sterile when doing so.
If the CBD medication is in capsule form, you can open up a capsule to get the powdered cannabis medication inside. You may also crush a tablet and use the crushed powder on the affected area. If you have a high CBD cannabis tea bag, soak this in water until the bag is fully wet. Place the wet tea bag near or on the affected area.
You may also use cannabis right after dental surgery or tooth extraction. Right after dental surgery, the treated area is sore, swollen, and painful. A surgical pad that has been dipped in pure CBD oil and placed in the surgical area can help. This exact treatment can be applied when there are swollen gums that need recovery after deep cleaning by a dentist. Swelling is reduced plus CBD will keep bacteria at bay.
Newer and better cannabis products are also out in the market like toothpaste infused with CBD oil and CBD mouthwash. You can always improve your regular toothpaste by placing a small amount of rich CBD oil on the formula. Voila! You have a CBD-infused toothpaste.
Make your own CBD toothpaste
If these CBD-infused products are not available from a dispensary near you, why not make your own CBD toothpaste instead? Toothpaste is just baking soda, coconut oil, and peppermint oil, infused in CBD oil. Mix everything and you have homemade toothpaste with added CBD.
To make CBD mouthwash, add a few drops of CBD oil in your regular mouthwash and shake the bottle well before use. Gargle the mouthwash well at least two or three times a day.
Are there any side effects of using CBD for toothaches?
Despite CBD’s amazing therapeutic properties, it can reduce saliva that the mouth produces. Having a dry mouth is very unpleasant and can be a haven for bacteria as well. Dry mouth may also lead to gum disease. Smoking along with coffee, alcohol, and tea also dries the mouth and can help build tartar in your teeth.
One of the most common side effects of CBD use is the classic cottonmouth effect. You’ll feel as if your mouth is full of cotton and you can barely speak or breathe because it’s just too dry! The best remedy is to drink more water or hydrate with candies, ice cream, or jellies. Never hydrate with alcohol because this will only affect the effects of CBD and THC.
To completely deal with any dental issues…
Visit your dentist regularly. Talk to your dentist about using CBD for toothaches and periodontitis. If you’re already consuming cannabis, consider switching to a strain with strong pain-relieving effects. Finally, if you suspect that you have periodontitis and your tooth pain remains despite treatment, visit your dentist at once to prescribe a better and more aggressive dental treatment.
To avoid dental issues, eat healthy food. You should include food with high calcium amounts since calcium helps strengthen bone including teeth. Calcium products include milk, cheeses, and some vegetables. You must also include vitamin C-rich foods like fruits, veggies, and juices.
Dental health starts young. If you have kids, start with an aggressive hand on dental health. Candies and other starchy products should be limited. Teach kids to gargle and to floss their teeth.
Marijuana for tooth pain may not be accepted by all dentists so it’s best to find a marijuana-friendly doctor. With a professional, you’ll be able to further extend your wishes to use cannabis for dental health. And if you have any other illness like diabetes or heart disease, your dental treatment has to coincide with your cardiac and diabetes treatment as well. Watch your diet and always perform good dental practices. Only with smart dental practices will you be able to prevent tooth pain and other dental problems.
