Gum disease is a common term for periodontitis, a medical condition marked by the inflammation of the gums. Periodontitis mainly results from bacterial infections. However, many other factors could trigger the disease.
Regardless of the underlying cause or trigger factors, it’s essential to move quickly to handle the situation before things get out of hand. Without urgent medical intervention, gum disease can cause a more severe infection. Worse yet, the disease can cause uncontrollable tooth loss.
Fortunately, there are several ways to treat and even prevent periodontitis, one of which is using THC. But before you invest in a high-quality CBD gummies for managing gum disease, it would help to shed more light on this condition.
1. What Causes Gum Disease?
As already mentioned, most gum disease results from bacterial infections. These infections are mainly caused by poor dental hygiene, leading to an overgrowth of dental plaque. Besides bacterial infections, the following factors may also predispose you to periodontitis;
- Chronic vitamin C deficiency
- Certain medical conditions, such as leukemia, diabetes, and viral infections like thrush
- Certain medications, such as calcium channel blockers, oral and injectable contraceptives, phenytoin, and cyclosporine
- Hormonal changes, such as during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause
- Oral or dental malformations, such as affected tooth or crooked tooth
- Improperly fitted dental appliances
- Harmful lifestyle habits like smoking
- Genetic factors
2. What Are The Symptoms Of Gum Disease?
Inflammation is the signature symptom of periodontitis. The disease causes swollen gums that may also be red and tender to the touch. Diseased gums may bleed, especially when you brush or floss your teeth. You may also notice a foul-smelling breath that doesn’t go away even after vigorous brushing. Other symptoms of gum disease include:
- Pain and sensitivity, especially when chewing, biting, or brushing
- Receding gums
- Loose teeth
- Misaligned teeth, which are more noticeable when you bite
- Pus between your teeth and gums
3. Treatments For Gum Disease And The Role Of THC
There are numerous conventional ways to treat gum disease. Standard treatment options include administering antibiotics and surgery to remove the diseased tissue. Besides this, medical marijuana experts now claim that using THC products may also help treat gum disease.
THC is an abbreviation for tetrahydrocannabinol. It’s the primary psychoactive substance in marijuana and one of the two widely studied phytocannabinoids in the plant, the other one being CBD. But unlike THC, pure CBD is non-psychoactive.
Although tetrahydrocannabinol is most famous for its psychoactive effects, the compound also provides many medicinal benefits. Studies have cited THC for its positive impact on pain, anxiety, insomnia, and other common diseases.
4. How Does THC Address Gum Disease?
. THC May Alleviate Inflammation
Not all periodontitis produces noticeable symptoms. But when the symptoms occur, inflammation is almost always one of them. Tetrahydrocannabinol contains potent anti-inflammatory properties and may mitigate the swelling resulting from gum disease. THC combats inflammation in various ways. Most notably, the compound slows the secretion of inflammatory markers like cytokines and chemokines.
. THC May Relieve Pain
Inflammation and pain typically occur side by side. So, when your gums become swollen due to periodontitis, your teeth become painful and tender to the touch. However, pain is another common medical problem against which tetrahydrocannabinol has demonstrated incredible efficacy.
According to research, THC relieves pain by blocking the pain-signaling receptors (known as nociceptors) as such receptors relay pain signals across the body.
. THC May Restore Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy and menopause are one of the leading causes of gum disease. Fortunately, tetrahydrocannabinol may stabilize hormonal activity, thereby minimizing the risks of periodontitis resulting from the endocrine imbalance. THC restores hormonal imbalance by impacting the endocannabinoid system, a complex biological system in the body that regulates endocrine activity.
. THC May Treat Insomnia
Insomnia or sleeplessness is one of the many adverse effects of periodontitis. Indeed, sore gums and tender teeth can make it remarkably difficult to fall asleep or sleep for longer hour blocks.
Administering a THC-infused supplement before bedtime can go a long way in aiding your sleep. Tetrahydrocannabinol improves sleep by treating pain and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which are some leading causes of sleep deprivation. Studies also indicate that THC may shorten sleep latency, thanks to its sedative effects.
. THC May Prevent Gum Disease
Not only can tetrahydrocannabinol treat many of the core symptoms and side effects of periodontitis, but such a compound may also play a role in minimizing the risks of gum disease. Like all cannabis extracts, THC is rich in antioxidants, such as polyphenols. Antioxidants are compounds that guard against oxidative damage caused by free radicals in body cells, a phenomenon known to increase disease risks.
Tetrahydrocannabinol’s antioxidant properties are particularly beneficial for cannabis users with suppressed immunity. Administering THC regularly may help combat chronic diseases that cause periodontitis, such as diabetes.
Summary
Tetrahydrocannabinol may not be a magic pill for gum disease. However, the compound can help address many periodontitis symptoms and side effects. As a parting shot, remember that prevention is the best way to manage gum disease. And the most effective preventive measures entail practicing proper dental and oral hygiene, besides scheduling regular visits to your dentist.
