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Published on: August 18, 2020
Cannabis Use and Tooth Loss by Race and Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity
Heather R Willmott1, Sixia Chen1, Darla E Kendzor2,3
1Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Hudson College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
AJPM Focus
|June 29, 2026
Summary
Cannabis use is linked to increased tooth loss, particularly among non-Hispanic Whites. Higher frequency of cannabis use also elevates the risk of tooth loss.
Area of Science:
- Oral Health Research
- Public Health
- Cannabis Use Studies
Background:
- Tooth loss is a significant indicator of oral health status.
- Cannabis use is prevalent and its impact on oral health requires investigation.
- Existing research on cannabis and tooth loss, especially within diverse demographic groups, is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between cannabis use and tooth loss in a national US sample.
- To examine the relationship between the frequency of past-month cannabis use and tooth loss.
- To explore potential disparities in this association across racial/ethnic and sexual orientation/gender identity groups.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 2016-2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys.
- Assessed tooth loss via the number of missing teeth.
- Analyzed past-month cannabis use as both binary and continuous (days of use) variables, employing multivariate models and subgroup stratification.
Main Results:
- Current cannabis use was associated with a 1.157-fold increased odds of tooth loss.
- This association was significant among non-Hispanic Whites (OR=1.223) but not other racial/ethnic subgroups.
- Each additional day of past-month cannabis use increased tooth loss odds by 1.009 times.
Conclusions:
- Cannabis use is significantly associated with tooth loss, especially in non-Hispanic White populations.
- The frequency of cannabis consumption directly correlates with an increased risk of tooth loss.
- Further research is recommended to elucidate the cannabis-tooth loss relationship in minority subgroups.
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