Alcohol and cannabis addictions Impact in oral health

Alcoholism and the recreational use of cannabis are two of the most common addictions in the European Union. The consumption of these substances plays a significant role in chronic and acute health conditions, namely oral health. While the patterns of use and effects on the body are different over the long term, there are similar effects of these two addictions when it comes to oral health.Alcohol consumption contributes to tooth erosion and periodontitis, and there are studies that also associate it with an increased risk of oral cancer. Cannabis causes periodontal disease, xerostomia and oral candidiasis, and is also associated with head and neck cancer, although there are conflicting studies on the latter effect.