Should You Try CBD Toothpastes & Mouthwashes?

Written by Whitney DiFoggio MA, RDH🔬 Evidence Based

Should You Try CBD Toothpastes & Mouthwashes?

CBD dental products are popular today for everything from managing anxiety disorder to pain relief. Now you can even find oral care products like CBD toothpaste and CBD mouthwash online and in stores.

What Are CBD Dental Products?

CBD dental products come in various shapes and sizes. Ranging from CBD toothpaste and mouthwash to professional-grade products used in the dental office, this diverse assortment of products can be found anywhere from health food/holistic stores to online retailers.

There are some studies out there showing CBD dental products may help with periodontal inflammation caused by gum disease. In fact, CBD added to dental polishing powder after your routine cleanings may actually help reduce bacterial levels in your mouth. There are even CBD-infused mouthwash products that have shown to be nearly as effective as prescription mouthwash used for managing periodontal disease.

Are CBD Oral Care Products Safe?

CBD is a type of compound that’s found in cannabis/marijuana/hemp. While most people are familiar with THC—the agent in marijuana that makes you “high” —CBD only contains extremely trace amounts of THC. It is relatively safe when used as directed, especially in CBD dental products that you’re not actively digesting each time you use them.

All of that being said, the FDA does warn of CBD toxicity being a real problem for some people. Much of it depends on how CBD products are used. Something like CBD toothpaste or CBD mouthwash likely isn’t going to hurt any.

CBD Toothpaste benefits

A lot of the people who endorse CBD toothpaste are on the train of thought that “if it doesn’t hurt, why not try it?” But there’s actually some real research that shows CBD as a whole may help benefit certain dental conditions, particularly gum disease/periodontitis, because of the inflammation involved.

Keep in mind that oral inflammation also strains your overall immune system and can make you more susceptible to underlying medical conditions. By taking control of swollen gum tissues, you can benefit your overall health as well.

Antibacterial & Anti-inflammatory Properties of CBD Dental Products

When someone has really aggressive periodontal diseases, their dentist usually prescribes a series of deep cleanings and sometimes a chlorhexidine mouthwash (Peridex.) This prescription-strength mouthwash helps reduce swelling and bacterial levels. But more recent research shows using a CBD mouthwash may be just as effective as the prescription version. Especially when infused with essential oils and alcohol or fluoride, which are frequently included in over-the-counter mouthwash products. These rinses target bacterial colonies, which in turn lowers inflammatory-response in gingival (gum) tissues. We also know that chlorhexidine mouthwash can cause some heavy tooth stains, but that may or may not be the case with a CBD mouthwash (more information is still needed.)

CBD May Help Treat Gingivitis

In the same way that CBD mouthwash helps target bacterial plaque and inflammation, it also helps inhibit gingivitis. Remember, gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, characterized by redness and inflammation along the edges of the teeth and gums. Bleeding is also common. So, if you were to rinse with a CBD mouthwash or use a CBD toothpaste in these areas on a regular basis like any other oral care product, you would likely see an improvement in gingivitis symptoms. Then again, good oral hygiene on its own should also reverse gingivitis within a couple of weeks.

What About Enamel Remineralization?

One of the reasons why fluoride is so important to use in toothpaste is it helps remineralize weak enamel to stop and reverse the early stages of tooth decay. Unfortunately, a straight-up CBD toothpaste won’t do that and most CBD toothpaste are fluoride free. Be sure to grab one that contains fluoride as one of the ingredients, or alternate it with your regular fluoride toothpaste to get the best of both worlds. If you’re someone who has a history of recurring tooth decay or cavities, demineralization, sensitive teeth, or currently undergoing orthodontic treatment, you can’t afford to skip the fluoride. Read the labels before you go all-in with one specific CBD toothpaste brand.

Will I Get High From CBD Toothpaste?

Toothpaste is made to brush with, then rinse out of your mouth. You’re not ingesting it day after day. CBD products only contain small traces of THC. So no, you’re not going to get high from using CBD toothpaste, CBD mouthwash, or other CBD dental products. Just like you shouldn’t experience fluoride toxicity even though toothpaste has fluoride in it. When used as directed (always read the label), the CBD inside of the dental product isn’t going to alter your behavior like it would if you were actually smoking and inhaling or eating products that contain marijuana. Namely, because you’re not getting the THC that produces the “high” sensation.

Talk With Your Dentist About CBD Oral Care

Research is constantly changing as new products like CBD toothpaste or CBD mouthwash come out. Not all concentrations of CBD are equal, nor are their application methods. For more up-to-date information and to find out what actually works, always talk to your dentist and hygienist. More than likely, they will take a course that discusses CBD dental products every now and then, so they can take more technical, scientific data and put it into layman’s terms for their dental patients.

Always be sure to share information about which CBD dental products you’re using with your dental team. That way, they can proactively monitor your oral tissues, gum health, and screen for atypical areas that might need further evaluation. Keep in mind that CBD and THC from other recreational products that are not specifically designed for oral health purposes may actually have negative consequences on your mouth.

CBD Toothpastes & Oral Care

As people become more comfortable with CBD oral care products like CBD toothpaste and mouthwash, it’s important to be aware of which dental products you’re using. Make sure it still contains fluoride for anti-cavity purposes. Remember that THC and CBD are not the same things, as THC is what produces the “high” people get from marijuana. Hemp naturally contains lower THC levels, so medical CBD products may tend to come from those plants as opposed to marijuana. You won’t have to worry about getting high from CBD toothpaste or mouthwash. Using them might actually help some with swollen gums associated with periodontitis.

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Written by Whitney DiFoggio MA, RDH"Teeth Talk Girl," is a registered dental hygienist. She started her dental health journey on YouTube, educating the public through videos.

Last updated onNovember 19, 2022Here is our process