A systematic review published by researchers affiliated with the American Dental Association (ADA) in October 2025 found that cannabidiol (CBD) — the non-psychoactive component of cannabis — shows promise as a “safe adjunct” for managing oral pain and inflammation.
The paper, titled “Therapeutic potential of cannabidiol in oral disorders: A systematic review of clinical evidence,” analyzed 4,093 records and ultimately included seven clinical studies — six randomized controlled trials and one non-randomized clinical study.
Findings
Topical and intraoral CBD formulations were shown to reduce pain, muscle tension, gingival inflammation, bacterial load, and aphthous ulcer symptoms, without any serious adverse effects.
However, the authors cautioned that variations in dosage, formulation, follow-up duration, and outcome measures made it difficult to compare findings or conduct a meta-analysis.
The review concluded that while CBD demonstrates therapeutic potential, standardized, long-term clinical trials are still needed to confirm its efficacy and safety before it can be fully integrated into dental-care protocols.
Recreational cannabis and oral health
A previous study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that frequent recreational cannabis use is associated with a higher likelihood of dental problems. In March, the University of Toronto also launched a study to explore the long-term impact of cannabis smoking on oral health.
In Canada, which legalized recreational marijuana in 2018, it remains the largest federally legal cannabis market in the world.
Tilray Brands, Inc., a Canadian company that cultivates and sells medical and recreational cannabis, marked the seventh anniversary of legalization on Oct. 17. As regulatory reforms evolve, Tilray said it hopes to see future growth through proposed Cannabis Health Products and broader insurance coverage, making medical cannabis more accessible to patients.
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