Since recreational use of marijuana has been legalized in a growing number of places, cannabis consumption has become more common. However, some users are hesitant or even fearful to seek medical care because of the continued illegality of recreational marijuana in several states and at the federal level.
When considering a patient’s medical history and state of health, doctors often ask about drug usage. Many people who consume weed are thus concerned that their dentist may be able to detect their habit. They look out the answer for query like “Can the dentist tell if you smoke weed?” So this guide is perfect if you are also looking to find the same.
What Impact Does Weed Consumption Have on Your Dental Health?
Various things can happen to your dental health if you use weed, including:
- Discoloration of the Teeth
While little marijuana use may fool a doctor into thinking you don’t smoke, heavy users will undoubtedly be easily identifiable.
- Dry Mouth
Xerostomia is another name for this illness, one of the side effects of chronic marijuana usage. Weed, like cigarettes, reduces saliva production, which puts users at greater risk for cavities and gum disease.
Is It Possible for the Dentist to Tell If I Smoke Weed?
There is a common misconception that a dentist’s examination of the patient’s mouth may reveal whether or not the patient is a smoker. However, dentists have other methods of determining whether a patient smokes. Examining the teeth is one method. The tar and nicotine in cigarettes cause discoloration of the teeth of smokers. Discoloration or yellowing of the teeth is also possible.
A dentist may also identify whether a patient smokes by seeing their gums. Red, puffy, and readily bleeding gums are common among smokers. Dentists may also use specialized testing to determine whether a patient is a smoker. For instance, carbon dioxide detectors can be used to check for recent smoking. Dentists can generally identify whether a patient smokes by seeing their teeth gums and doing further testing.
Can the Dentist Tell If You Smoke Weed? Dental Procedures
These are some of the diagnostic procedures a dentist may do on you:
- Urine Test
The most convenient and least expensive method of detecting marijuana use is a urine test. Your dentist may request that you urinate in a sealed cup. The dentist will next submit the sample for a formal report. There is a correlation between marijuana consumption and the presence of THC in the urine:
- Three days after a single usage.
- Thirty days after excessive usage, if at all.
- After five days of moderate usage
- After ten days of constant usage.
Avoid being caught by a dentist by not smoking weed before your appointment.
- Hair Test
For this procedure, the dentist will pluck some hair off the back of your head, close to the crown. A hair follicle drug test may detect cannabis use for 90 days. The drug metabolites are stored in the hair’s cortex as hair grows. A drug test based on a 1.5-inch hair sample may detect usage within the last three months since hair grows around half an inch each month on average.
- Blood Test
A blood test for the discovery of marijuana might also be required of you. A blood test just takes a few minutes to identify any trace of marijuana use. Studies vary on how long this may be detected; however, some put the number at 25 days. Providers can opt for non-intrusive alternatives to these tests due to their invasive nature.
How to Smoke Weed Without Affecting Your Oral Health?
If you’re worried about how cannabis use can harm your oral health, there are steps you may take to protect your teeth and gums:
- Keep Yourself Hydrated After Smoking Weed
If you’ve just smoked any weed, you must hydrate heavily right away. It will help you avoid the discomfort of dry mouth and maintain healthy gums and teeth.
- Find Smoke-Free Options
There are several alternatives to consuming marijuana. Examples include edibles, vape pens, oils, and tinctures. If you care about your teeth’ condition, you should consider quitting smoking weed.
- Maintain Good Oral Health
Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day, and use floss once a day. To reduce the likelihood of tooth stains following marijuana use, it is recommended to have a nutritious diet and to consider cleaning weed-stained teeth.
Conclusion
If you use weed, your dentist will know it. This is due to the fact that marijuana usage negatively impacts both tooth and gum health. However, you may take several preventive actions, such as scheduling regular dental checkups and maintaining a good oral hygiene routine at home.
