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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Getting Wisdom Teeth Removed, Smoking Cannabis Drugs. Will It Cause Detrimental Health Effects?

I am getting my wisdom teeth removed in early/mid August, it is currently early/mid July. I smoke cannabis mildly (about once a week average) and I have heard that if one smokes cannabis 30 days prior to the operation, it can have detrimental health affects. I take no other drugs/alcohol and I have a very health lifestyle. How soon should I refrain from smoking?
Mon, 19 Aug 2013
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi welcome to HCMForum. There is no fact in that gossip. but if you go on having it you may become addected
and can have neuritis and all such things. it is always better to be away from it. Dont be depressed about it. It
may cause bad effects if you go on thing of it. practice diversion activities like yoga meditation etc to divert
from that thought. i hope you are satisfied with my reply. thank you.
I find this answer helpful
Dentist, Prosthodontics Dr. Shivangi Gajwani Jain's  Response
Hi,
Cannabis has more than 400 ingredients so it is difficult to be certain of its effect on minor surgeries including extractions. But as you have mentioned that you smoke cannabis then it means that you also inhale tobacco that contains nicotine which has proven detrimental effects in oral surgeries. It slows down healing and results in painful bleeding gums after extraction.
I would strongly suggest that you must stop its usage at least by 30 days prior to the surgery for better results and a less painful post operative experience. Even after the extraction you need to curb this habit for a while (a minimum of 15-20 days).
Regards
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Dentist Dr. Varun Mishra's  Response
hello and welcome to hcm,
smoking or chewing tobacco definitely imparts very detrimental effects as far as healing of wound is concerned. nicotine slows the process of healing which can cause you a problem called as Dry socket as you are going to get your wisdom teeth extracted where instead of healing, pus and pain will start.
so avoid taking this joint and continue not doing it till 1-2 weeks post extraction.
thanks
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Dentist Dr. Mohsin Parwez's  Response
Hello,
Thanks for the question. Smoking pure Cannabis not mixed with tobacco has never been directly associated with any pre/post operative complications in dentistry. However, certain combustion (burning) by products of almost all materials can be carcinogenic (cancer causing). Marijuana use is also implicated in Hypotension (reduced blood pressure).

You should also bare in mind that Cannabis (Aka. Pot, Marijuana etc) is an illegal drug (narcotic) in almost all countries. If you are using Marijuana medicinally i.e if Medical use is permitted where you live, you should talk to your doctor before discontinuing the drug.

Having said that, there is no ascribed safe period.

In any case, don't go for you appointment 'high', stop using it at least 1 week before the surgery and abstain for at least 2 week post operative. The act of dragging on your joint/reefer/bong etc will cause negative pressure in your oral cavity that can lead to clot displacement. This can cause a painful condition called 'Dry Socket'.

Hope my answer was useful to you.
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1 Doctor agrees with this answer

Dentist Dr. Gunjan Gupta's  Response
Hello there,

Thanks for the query.

There are three main forms of cannabis-marijuana,hash and hash oil,all of which contain the main psychoactive constituent delta 9-tetra hydro cannabional.
Cannabis, in any form,affects almost every system of the body.
Cannabis users generally have poor oral hygiene,with an increase risk of high dental caries and periodontal diseases.
Cannabis smoke acts as a carcinogen and can cause dysplastic and pre-malignant changes in the oral cavity.
Cannabis users also prone to oral infections,possibly due to the immuno-suppressive effects.
The use of local anaesthetic containing epinephrine in a cannabis user may seriously prolong tachycardia.

Cannabis users may have post-extraction complication(dry socket).

Considering all the effects of cannabis,i would suggest you to stop your habit at the earliest.
Hope this answered your query.
Take Care
Dr. Gunjan Gupta

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Dentist Dr. Bindiya Bhaskar's  Response
Hi Frankabbott,
Since you are getting your wisdom tooth removed,which usually after extraction can cause Post-operative complications like headache,nausea,fever,dry socket etc,i would advice you to quit smoking.
Smoking can worsen the process of wound healing post extraction.
Maintain oral hygiene well.
Please avoid smoking strictly till the socket heals completely after extraction.
Avoid spitting frequently.
Brush and floss tongue daily.
Use chlorhexidine as well as warm saline rinse to gargle.
Hope this helps.
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Dentist Dr. Farah Hussain's  Response
Hello there ,

Thanks for writing your query,

Cannabis has many deteriorating effects on the general as well as oral health of an individual.

As you have mentioned that you smoke cannabis then it means that you also inhale tobacco that contains nicotine which has proven detrimental effects in oral surgeries.

It slows down healing and results in painful bleeding gums after extraction.

Cannabis smoke acts as a carcinogen and can cause dysplastic and pre-malignant changes in the oral cavity.

Cannabis users may have post-extraction complication like dry socket .

There fore i advice you to discontinue the use of cannabis to prevent its hazardous effects.

i hope this helps ,

take care.
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Dentist Dr. Yogesh Tripathi's  Response
hello
smoking cannabis in general has bad effects on your healt
as far as about your extraction , you will be going in local anesthesia which is not as effective if you are addicted to some drug
so what i would advise is to stop smoking atleast a week before the procedure
post operative smoking creates anerobic conditions which delays wound healing
so wait till the wound heals uo
hope that helps
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Dentist Dr. Qazi Ammara's  Response
Hi,

Thanks for asking the query,

Cannabis can have detoriating effects on oral as well as general health of the individual.
Consumption of tobacco can cause dysplastic changes and premalignant changes in the oral cavity.
It delays healing of the socket and causes profuse bleeding.
Consumption of cannabis can lead to dry socket.
I would advise you to stictly stop smoking of cannabis.
Follow the post extraction instructions given to you properly.

Hope this helps out,

Regards...
I find this answer helpful
Dentist Dr. Sapna Purwaha's  Response
hello
yes cannabis do have adverse effect both pre
and post operative surgury.it is avised to stop
smoking atleast a weak before and aftet surgury
in order to avoid any adverse affect on healin
regards
dr.sapna
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Dentist, Periodontics Dr. Palvi 's  Response
hi...
thanks for the query...
well, yes... smoking has detrimental side effects especially if any surgery is to be planned...
it usually results in reduced blood circulation and hence retards normal healing process...
so... please quit it 1 month before and after any surgical procedure...
take care...
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 1 user finds this helpful

Dentist, Orthodontics Dr. Mrunal Meshram's  Response
HELLO
THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR CONCERN
SMOKING CANNABIS(MARIJUANA) DO NOT CREATE SEVERE PROBLEMS AS PER AS ORAL CAVITY IS CONCERN BUT IT DEFINITELY WILL DELAY WOUND HEALING AFTER EXTRACTION , WHICH CAN LEAD TO BLEEDING , FOUL SMELLING , DRY SOCKET ETC.
ALSO, IT CAN AFFECT EFFECT OF LOCAL ANESTHESIA TOO.
SO IT IS ADVISABLE TO STOP CANNABIS BEFORE 10 DAYS OF PROCEDURE AND A MONTH AFTER EXTRACTION.
HOPE YOU WILL FIND THIS HELPFUL.
IF ANY DOUBT , FEEL FREE TO WRITE US BACK
TAKE CARE
REGARD
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Dentist Dr. Satish Singh's  Response
u are advised to stop smoking prior 2 getting operated and post operative as well, atlests for 2-3weeks untill u ur socket heals completely,Smoking can delay the wound healing post extraction, Maintain oral hygiene,Avoid spitting frequently.
Use chlorhexidine as well as warm saline rinse to gargle 2-3 times a day..
thanks, take care
I find this answer helpful
Dentist, Implantology Dr. S.Naveen Kumar's  Response
Hi there,
Stop smoking cannabis,it is more harmful then cigarettes and more likely to trigger cancer according to the report by British lung foundation.

Generally smoking should be stopped few days before surgery.it can interfere with the healing process of your socket. smoking should be stop for first 24 hours after surgery. If you can wait a few more days after that, your mouth will heal faster or it will lead to dry socket (a painful condition where tooth socket loses its protective scab and the nerves become exposed).

Hope it will be helpful
regards,
dr.naveen
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Getting Wisdom Teeth Removed, Smoking Cannabis Drugs. Will It Cause Detrimental Health Effects?

Hi welcome to HCMForum. There is no fact in that gossip. but if you go on having it you may become addected and can have neuritis and all such things. it is always better to be away from it. Dont be depressed about it. It may cause bad effects if you go on thing of it. practice diversion activities like yoga meditation etc to divert from that thought. i hope you are satisfied with my reply. thank you.