If you’re an avid cannabis consumer who recently got braces, you may be wondering – can you smoke weed with braces? Or will smoking marijuana damage my expensive orthodontic work?
This is an excellent question that deserves an in-depth answer. In this guide, we’ll explore the implications of using cannabis while wearing braces, including:
- The impact of smoking weed on oral health with braces
- Potential risks and side effects
- Precautionary measures to take
- Safer alternative consumption methods
Contents
How Smoking Weed Affects Your Oral Health
Smoking weed introduces heat, smoke, and other compounds to your mouth, which can aggravate oral health issues. And if you have braces, maintaining excellent oral hygiene is already challenging enough without adding smoking to the mix.
Increased Risk of Dry Mouth
Smoking cannabis often causes dry mouth, medically termed xerostomia. This reduces saliva flow, allowing bacteria to grow rapidly. And with braces, food debris easily gets trapped, further increasing decay risk.
Gum Disease & Tooth Decay
Additionally, smoking weed compromises gum health, making users more susceptible to periodontal infections. This can cause soreness and bleeding. Smoking also stains teeth over time.
Delayed Orthodontic Movement
Some studies show nicotine and THC can restrict blood vessels, limiting nutrients reaching your teeth. This may hinder the pace of orthodontic tooth movement.
Discolored Braces & Bad Breath
The tar and high heat also yellows braces with prolonged exposure. And it leaves behind stubborn particles that breed smelly bacteria.
So while an occasional cannabis puff may not destroy your orthodontic progress, regular use without precautions can mean trouble.
Potential Risks of Smoking Weed with Braces
Beyond general oral health detriments, using cannabis with braces poses some specific hazards including:
Warped or Broken Braces
The direct heat contact combined with increased jaw pressure from inhaling may damage delicate brackets or wires. This could require expensive emergency repairs.
Interference with Dental Appointments
If you reek of weed, your orthodontist may shorten appointments to limit staff exposure to lingering smoke. They could even refuse treatment altogether in extreme cases.
Tooth Movement Setbacks
By potentially delaying bone remodeling and dental shifts, smoking cannabis excessively could extend your treatment duration by months in a worst case.
Legal or Social Problems
Getting caught smoking weed – especially underage – can earn you anything from social scrutiny to legal penalties based on your state laws and environment.
While most occasional smokers avoid such extreme mishaps, caution is still warranted if you hope to keep treatment smooth and complication-free. Moderation helps minimize risks with cannabis and braces.
5 Precautions for Smoking Weed with Braces
If you do plan to integrating occasional cannabis sessions into your braces journey, some precautions will help defend your smile:
1. Use Protective Braces Covers
Special silicone covers act as shields between your brackets and the heat or chemicals during smoking. Using them helps prevent warped wires or bands.
2. Buy Orthodontic Brushes, Picks & Rinses
Investing in tools expressly for cleaning braces will help you scrub away residual cannabis particles after sessions to protect teeth from decay.
3. Hydrate Vigilantly
Drink copious water before and after smoking to counteract dry mouth and balance moisture levels in your gums. This prevents soreness, infections and other weed-related oral issues.
4. Adjust Inhalation Method
Take smaller, gentler puffs rather than deep inhalations, while also covering sharp bands with your lips to reduce tissue irritation during the pull.
5. Visit Your Orthodontist
Let your orthodontist know you smoke periodically so they can closely monitor for potential interference with treatment or side effects on your mouth. This allows them to tweak your plan if needed.
Being disciplined with these tips will help you minimize the risks that come with mixing weed and orthodontics.
6 Alternative Weed Consumption Methods with Braces
Beyond just traditional smoking precautions, exploring alternative cannabis consumption options avoids direct risks to your braces. Popular methods include:
Edibles
From gummies to baked goods and beyond, THC-infused edibles provide perhaps the safest avenue to continue enjoying weed with braces. They introduce no smoke that could damage brackets or bands.
Beverages
Cannabis drinks like teas, sparkling tonics or brewed beverages offer tasty, soothing options. Just beware acids that erode enamel. Milder choices are ideal.
Tinctures
These concentrated liquid extracts normally taken under the tongue supply light THC doses in an oral-safe way. They also kick in fast, avoiding the delayed high of edibles.
Oils and Sprays
Sublingual sprays provide precision THC relief without smoking – just spritz beneath the tongue as needed. Oils can also be mixed into foods or applied topically.
Vaping (With Caution)
If eliminating all inhalation proves challenging, vaporizing concentrates or flower may strike a middle ground. But take care not to overheat and cause tissue damage during pulls.
Topicals
Rubbing lotions, creams or balms infused with THC/CBD onto skin, lips or gums transfers healing cannabinoids without smoking. They target localized discomfort brilliantly.
Note that while most alternatives drastically reduce risks and oral health concerns compared to traditional smoking, moderation remains key. Overconsumption always brings heightened downsides.
Key Takeaways: Weed and Braces
- Smoking cannabis can exacerbate oral health issues for brace wearers if care isn’t taken
- Potential effects range from discolored bands or slowed dental movements to legal problems in worst cases
- Using protective mouth gear and adjusting consumption habits reduces related risks
- Exploring alternative dosing methods like edibles or tinctures practically eliminates dangers
In a nutshell: Exercising caution and moderation allows you to incorporate cannabis into orthodontic treatment relatively safely. A few small precautions go a long way in preventing challenges. We hope these tips empower more informed decisions about mixing braces and weed!
FAQS
Can I smoke with braces on?
It is not recommended to smoke cigarettes or cannabis while wearing braces. Smoking increases the risk of oral health issues like gum disease, tooth decay, and stains. The heat and chemicals can also damage brackets or bands. However, occasional, moderate smoking may be low risk if proper precautions are taken like using protective covers, adjusting inhalation method, and practicing good hygiene.
Is it okay to vape with braces?
Vaping poses fewer oral health risks than smoking cigarettes or weed with braces, but potential issues remain. The heat can still damage tissue, and nicotine limits blood flow. Vaping does produce some chemicals and drying effects. Overall it is better to refrain from vaping while starting treatment until consulting your orthodontist on safety guidelines and limits.
Can you drink alcohol with braces?
You can drink moderate amounts of alcohol with braces as long as you practice good oral hygiene. Hard liquor, wine, and beer are all allowed. Just avoid extremely hot or cold drinks, watch sugar content, use a straw to bypass brackets, rinse thoroughly after drinking, and brush/floss before bed. These steps prevent stains, decay or other alcohol-related risks.
Can you get clear braces brackets?
Yes, clear ceramic braces brackets are a popular esthetic option to make braces less visible. They blend with natural tooth color for subtlety. Just take care when eating and brush diligently after to prevent discoloration or damage that’s harder to spot on clear brackets. Also avoid smoking with clear brackets to prevent yellow stains.
