Topical CBD use significantly improves gingivitis and reduces periodontal bacteria
Periodontal disease is estimated to affect between 20% and 50% of the world's population. It is a common cause of tooth loss.
The goal of this study was to determine if CBD has a beneficial effect on periodontal disease and the associated gingival inflammation (gingivitis). It was published in the Journal of Periodontal Research in February 2024.
The study consisted of two parts:
- a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized study over 56 days in three groups of patients with periodontitis (30 patients in each group)
- an in vitro preclinical study on primary cultures of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs)
All patients in the placebo controlled part were treated 3 times (day 0, day 14, and day 28) with an oral gel applied to their periodontal pockets. Group A got a gel without CBD (placebo). Group B got a gel with 1% CBD, and Group C got a gel with 1% chlorhexidine digluconate.
Additionally, Group B used toothpaste with CBD for 56 days. Groups A and C used toothpaste without CBD (placebo) for 56 days. Patients were between 36 and 65 years old, and had an average pocket depth of just over 4.5mm.
To summarize, they found that CBD helped reduce periodontal inflammation and markers, and minimize the long-term detrimental effects of periodontal disease (bone loss, etc.).
Results in the authors' words:
statistically significant improvement was found for the gingival, gingival bleeding, and modified gingival indices between placebo group A and CBD group B after 56 days.
The changes in all observed periods in patients using CBD were statistically significantly higher than in groups A and C.
Their conclusions:
At the level of both the preclinical data and the placebo-control double-blind intervention trial, we have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effect of CBD and its ability to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria found in the oral cavity.
The most unambiguous result of the study is a statistically significant improvement in GI, GBI, and MGI after 56 days of CBD application in patients with diagnosed chronic periodontitis.
No adverse effects of CBD were reported by patients or observed upon clinical examination during the study.
The full text article is here at Wiley Online Library.
Source:
Jirasek P, Jusku A, Frankova J, Urbankova M, Diabelko D, Ruzicka F, Papouskova B, Chytilova K, Vrba J, Havlasek J, Langova K, Storch J, Voborna I, Simanek V, Vacek J. Phytocannabinoids and gingival inflammation: Preclinical findings and a placebo-controlled double-blind randomized clinical trial with cannabidiol. J Periodontal Res. 2024 Feb 5. doi: 10.1111/jre.13234. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38311974.