Even as an adult, going to the dentist can be a nerve-wracking experience. Going to the dentist is essential for maintaining good health, and it’s important to do so for regular X-rays and cleanings. At the same time, these procedures can feel scary and invasive.
This anxiety can take on another layer if you’re worried about your dentist finding out about your smoking habits. Although it’s great to have trust in your doctors, including your dentist, it is also entirely valid to want privacy. There are a variety of reasons that you might not want your dentist to know that you smoke.
So – can your dentist tell if you smoke weed?
Overall, your dentist generally won’t be able to tell you smoke, especially if you’re a light smoker. However, although they cannot know for sure that you smoke, there are certain things that may lead them to suspect that you do.
Depending on how you smoke, how often, how long you have been smoking, and other elements such as your oral hygiene and your genetics, smoking may cause or contribute to different oral health conditions. Your dentist can observe these and suspect that you smoke.
Smoking in general, including both cannabis as well as other substances like tobacco, can contribute to various oral/dental health issues like those below.
One issue that can be caused by smoking or consumption of cannabis is dry mouth. This is because of the way that cannabinoids interact with your parasympathetic nervous system. Saliva production is slowed down, leading to dry mouth.
Gum inflammation or irritation is another issue that can sometimes be caused by smoking. Your dentist will notice any gum issues and will want to address them, regardless of their origin.
Finally, teeth discoloration can also be caused by smoking. Teeth discoloration is popularly thought of as a result of smoking tobacco, but it can also be caused by smoking cannabis.
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Even if you have any of these issues, none of them can confirm or tell your dentist “for sure” that you smoke, as they can be caused by different factors and behaviors. Instead, they might just lead your dentist to suspect or wonder about smoking, amongst other things.
Feeling relieved? You are under no obligation to tell your dentist that you smoke, and you may prefer to keep it private. Depending on your health, though, there are some reasons that it might be a good idea to tell your dentist anyway.
A routine cleaning will likely not be impacted by any cannabinoids in your system, but more intense procedures are a different story.
If you are having a dental procedure or surgery done that involves drugs like sedatives or even local anesthetics, it is a good idea to check in with your dentist about cannabis usage. This is true not only for smoking cannabis, but also for other forms of cannabis such as edibles.
Beyond health and safety precautions that you should take with intense dental procedures, it can also be a good idea to tell your dentist about your smoking in order to get tailored advice and care from them.
Not every dentist or dental hygienist will have the same views about cannabis, but many will be non-judgmental and happy to help you take the best possible care of your teeth. If you communicate with your dentist, they may help you create a personalized routine to maintain your oral health and avoid issues like dry mouth, gum disease, and teeth discoloration.
Regardless of whether you disclose to your dentist that you smoke, there are several things that you can do to keep up good oral hygiene and health. These include brushing and flossing regularly and thoroughly, going in for regular check-ups, and limiting sugary foods and drinks.
Although certain conditions and issues may lead your dentist to suspect that you smoke, there is no magic way that they can tell for sure. It is completely understandable to want privacy, and if you do not feel comfortable telling your dentist that you use cannabis, you don’t have to!
That being said, it might benefit you to let your dentist know. This is especially true if you’re going to have a more intense procedure done. Your safety comes first!
Regardless of whether you decide to disclose your smoking habits to your dentist, it is important to come in for regular check-ups and maintain good oral hygiene through your regular practices and routine.
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