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CBD Oil for Toothache

Published

3 years ago

January 2, 2021

Toothache is an extremely common worldwide problem and occurs most commonly due to various dental issues. According to the FDI World Dental Foundation, nearly 3.9 billion people get affected worldwide with dental diseases every year. While toothache can occur due to many reasons, tooth decay or dental caries is one of the leading causes of toothache all over the world.

A study published in the international review journal “Advances In Nutrition”, states that nearly 80% of the population all over the world suffers from dental caries. In the US, nearly a quarter of the entire population has untreated dental caries leading to dental pain.

CBD and Toothache:

There is a growing interest in the role of CBD as a treatment for toothaches. According to research published in the journal “Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management”, CBD is showing promising results in treating pain and inflammation, especially chronic pain conditions.

CBD And The ECS Pain Management System:

The above study states that the human body’s endocannabinoid system or ECS is responsible for pain management among many other functions. The CB1 receptor of the ECS system showed an ability to reduce sensitivity to pain in mice.

The cannabinoid system is responsible for pain management in various cases including chronic pain, neuropathic pain, pain occurring due to inflammation, etc.

The same study goes on to state that Sativex, an oral oromucosal spray containing CBD and THC has proven effective in treating neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis and cancer pain.

Causes Of Toothache:

Toothache can occur due to many reasons. Basic oral health is important to keep teeth healthy and free of issues. Regular brushing, flossing, dental hygiene, and good nutrition ensure that your teeth stay healthy.

When dental health and hygiene is neglected, it leads to teeth and gum issues resulting in tooth problems and toothache.

Your tooth may appear hard from the outside. But internally it contains pulp. This pulp is made of connective tissues, nerves, and blood vessels. An infection in the pulp causes toothaches.

Another common cause is an irritation in the nerve of the root of your tooth or the nerve in the area surrounding your tooth. Broadly speaking, a dental infection, dental caries, dental injury, or loss of tooth causes toothache.

The most common dental problems include dental caries, periodontitis, pulpitis, or trauma.

Sometimes you can also experience jaw pains, where the pain originates from areas like your jaw joint and spreads to your jaw. This can cause discomfort and pain in your tooth and jaw areas.

Toothaches also occur due to ear pain, infections, and in rare cases due to heart problems.

Dental caries is the leading cause of toothaches all over the world, especially in the US. One of the major reasons for dental caries is increased sugar consumption.

WHO recommends an intake of less than 10% sugar of total energy intake in both kids and adults. This means you should limit your sugar intake to a total of 6 teaspoons per day for good dental health. Reduced sugar intake leads to a major decrease in dental caries and other dental issues.

An intake of 60 gm and above leads to dental caries. According to WHO, in nearly 65 countries across the world, sugar consumption exceeds 100gm per person per day.

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, dental caries or tooth decay occurs due to bacteria called Streptococcus mutans.

The bacteria attack the surface of the tooth, also known as the enamel. The bacteria cause a small hole in the tooth known as the cavity. If this cavity is not filled and treated on time, it leads to infection leading to tooth decay.

In the early stages, dental caries don’t cause symptoms. When left untreated, caries can cause tooth pain and sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks. In severe cases, pus and abscess form in the infection area. This leads to severe pain, fever, and swelling in the face.

While filling cavities is the initial treatment, in severe cases your dentist will do a root canal treatment to treat the condition.

CBD Has Antibacterial Properties.

Research published in a journal named “Scientific Research” shows that cannabis and its various extracts including the hemp seed oil are high in antibacterial activity. Apart from this, CBD also contains painkilling and anti-inflammatory properties.

CBD Reduces Pain And Inflammation.

The ECS system is a network of receptors in your body. It is responsible for maintaining various systems such as the nervous system, endocrine system, immune system, and cardiovascular system. This system is also responsible for metabolism, appetite mood, and pain management.

The cannabinoids such as THC and CBD influence the body’s cannabinoids and receptors and help in better pain management.

The ECS system has two important receptors- CB1 and CB2 which are of huge significance. The location of CB2 receptors in the immune system allows it to reduce inflammation. When CB2 receptors are activated, they cause immune cells to suppress the release of inflammation-causing compounds. As a result, the ECS system can reduce inflammation.

Cannabinoids in THC and CBD influence the ECS system to quicken the process of reducing inflammation.

With a combination of the above mechanisms, CBD can provide relief from toothache and inflammation. With its antibacterial properties, CBD will also help fight and reduce infection, which is the prime cause of dental caries.

CBD Reduces Anxiety.

Visits to your dentist can be understandably overwhelming. In fact, this anxiety is one of the main reasons many put off their next dental checkup. Delayed dental care can lead to severe dental issues making the recovery process long-drawn and painful.

The next time you plan to visit your dentist, just place a couple of drops of CBD oil under your tongue. CBD gets absorbed quickly through the capillaries under your tongue. You will feel relaxed, making your dental check-up all the more bearable.

Periodontal disease or an infection in the gums is another common reason for a toothache. This infection affects the gums and soft tissue in your mouth. When left untreated, it destroys the bone supporting your teeth. In the long term, periodontal disease leads to loosening and loss of teeth.

Various factors can cause and lead to the severity of the periodontal disease. According to the International Journal of Health Sciences, smoking and poor oral hygiene are major risk factors causing gum infections. Factors such as age, heredity, medication, and stress can also cause this condition.

The study states that our mouth is home to nearly 800 kinds of bacteria. Complex interactions between them, your resistance, and habits together lead to the occurrence of periodontal disease.

Dental caries and Periodontal disease together are responsible for the major chunk of toothache cases, especially in the US.

It should be noted that there is a close relationship between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease. Periodontal disease can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in some cases.

It is important to identify and treat this condition on time to avoid future risks.

Symptoms of this gum disease include pink and swollen gums, frequent bleeding from gums, especially after brushing, foul smell from the mouth, the formation of pus between teeth and gums, loosening and loss of teeth, gap between teeth, gums feeling sensitive to touch.

CBD with its anti-inflammatory and pain-killing properties reduces pain and inflammation in the tooth and gums. Antibacterial properties reduce infection and pus formation. As a result, you can experience a reduction in symptoms such as bleeding, foul smell, and pain.

Regular doctor visits and oral hygiene are the key to treating and avoiding gum diseases.

If you have gum fillings that have somehow eroded, you can experience toothaches. You will need to see your dentist immediately to get the fillings replaced. This will avoid further damage.

Trauma, injuries, and tooth fractures cause tooth pain.

Another common cause of toothaches is a wisdom tooth. The existing wisdom tooth can grow into the gums causing pain. An infection in the wisdom tooth also can cause extreme pain. In most cases, the wisdom tooth will have to be removed. In less severe cases, painkillers provide relief from pain.

CBD Oil Reduces Neuropathic Pain.

In some cases, the cause of the toothache can be difficult to detect and can be of non-dental origin. Such pain is classified as being of neuromodulatory or neuropathic nature. Dentists usually treat such pains with the use of the NSAID category of painkillers and anti-inflammatories.

A study named Medical Cannabis for Neuropathic Pain has found that low doses of cannabis when vaporized or delivered through oral mucosal methods were effective in treating neuropathic pain. The study also suggests that CBD is as efficient as the current neuropathic agents in managing the pain of neuropathic nature.

Another study suggests that CBD can enhance the neuro-modulatory function of your ECS system in relieving pain.

Can You Use CBD Oil for Toothache:

CBD oil with its range of therapeutic properties can provide relief from toothache. The pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties provide relief from pain, inflammation, and discomfort.

Antibacterial properties help in reducing the infection, which in most cases is the source of dental pain.

Your dentist will normally prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications to fight dental pain. These pills can cause side effects such as acidity, nausea, stomach upsets, and bloating.

CBD is associated with lesser risks and better effectiveness in treating pain, inflammation, infection, fever, and other symptoms associated with toothaches.

A study published in a journal named “Cureus” states that CBD was able to significantly reduce bacterial content in dental plaques. This study proves that CBD can provide effective treatment for various tooth-related issues.

How To Use CBD Oil for Toothache:

Place CBD Oil Directly On The Pain Area:

This is the easiest and quickest way to experience pain relief. Place a drop or two of the CBD oil on the tooth or gum area where you experience pain. This way you can experience instant relief.

Add CBD Oil To Your Toothpaste:

When squeezing toothpaste onto your toothbrush, add a drop or two on to the paste. This is especially useful when you are experiencing dental pain in more than one area. Brush carefully in areas where you have toothache. CBD oil gets to the target areas and provides relief from pain and inflammation.

CBD Capsules And Softgels:

For dental infections and related fevers, you can opt for CBD capsules. These capsules come predosed. So you wouldn’t need to worry about the right dosing. In addition, capsules and softgels are a convenient and discreet way of taking CBD.

Capsules are taken orally. They enter your body, get digested, and then get absorbed into your bloodstream. From there, they reach the target areas and provide relief from pain, inflammation, and fever.

While CBD capsules take longer to work, they are effective for longer periods. Capsules and softgels are useful for dental infections, and cases for dental pain where the source cannot be determined.

CBD Oil Dosage For Toothache:

There is no one size fits all when it comes to using CBD oil for toothaches. Each person is different. The dosage depends on factors such as age, weight, health conditions, sensitivity to CBD and THC, and severity of the dental condition.

If you are planning to use CBD oil for tooth pain, consult an expert or a registered dentist or practitioner who has experience with using CBD for dental problems. They will guide you on the right dosage. They will also suggest the right products depending on the root cause and symptoms of your tooth issues.

If you are new to using CBD oil for a toothache, always start with the basic or minimum dose first. You can increase the dose depending on the effectiveness of CBD in reducing your dental condition.