Cannabis and Oral Cancer: What New Research Reveals About Risk

Cannabis use has increased significantly in recent years, and with it, concerns about oral health. Research now shows that smoking cannabis especially regularly or combined with tobacco, poses real risks to your mouth's long-term health. Understanding these risks and taking preventive steps can help protect your oral tissues and catch early warning signs before they become serious.

What Research Shows

Chronic cannabis smoking increases oral cell abnormalities and leukoplakia.
Multiple peer-reviewed studies confirm that long-term cannabis smoking is associated with increased oral mucosal abnormalities, including cellular dysplasia and leukoplakia premalignant lesions that can progress to oral cancer. Cannabis smoke contains DNA-damaging and carcinogenic compounds that damage oral tissues over time, with systematic reviews documenting these changes even among users who don't smoke tobacco.
(De Gruyter Brill, 2024 and International Journal of Oral and Dental Health, 2019)

THC exposure impairs saliva flow, reducing your mouth's natural defenses.
THC activates cannabinoid receptors in the salivary glands, significantly reducing saliva production, the "dry mouth" many cannabis users experience. While this might seem like a minor inconvenience, saliva is your mouth's primary defense against decay and infection. Less saliva means higher risk of cavities, gum disease, and oral infections. This effect is well-documented in both animal and human studies and applies whether cannabis is smoked or vaporized.
(Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, 2006)

Combined tobacco and cannabis use dramatically amplifies cancer risk.
Here's where the risk accelerates: individuals who smoke both tobacco and cannabis have up to a 6-fold higher oral cancer risk compared to those who smoke either substance alone. Both contain overlapping carcinogens, and their combined effect creates a synergistic burden of DNA damage and immune suppression in oral tissues. People with cannabis use disorder face particularly elevated risk.
(The ASCO Post Staff, 2025)

Heat and smoke still matter, even with vaporizers.
While vaporizers reduce thermal irritation compared to combustion, they don't eliminate all risks. Vaporized cannabis still exposes your oral tissues to THC, which continues to affect salivary flow and mucosal health. So switching to a vaporizer helps, but it's not a complete solution.
(Drug Testing and Analysis, 2019)

Protective Steps

Choose lower-risk consumption methods.
If you use cannabis, vaporization reduces thermal damage compared to smoking. Consider edibles or other consumption methods that avoid heating or inhaling compounds into your mouth.
(The American Dental Association)

Maintain regular oral screenings, especially if you're a frequent user.
Clinical guidelines strongly recommend regular dental check-ups for people with cannabis or tobacco use to detect early cellular changes. Early detection of leukoplakia or dysplasia allows for prompt intervention and can prevent progression to oral cancer. This is particularly important if you have cannabis use disorder.

Combat dry mouth with hydration and alcohol-free rinses.
Stay well-hydrated and use alcohol-free mouth rinses to support mucosal health and replace lost saliva's protective functions. These simple habits can significantly reduce your cavity and gum disease risk.

Monitor your oral health at home.
The Feno Smartbrush track changes in your oral health over time. With 18,000 bristles and AI-powered monitoring, Feno helps you identify areas needing extra attention and ensures you're reaching all problem spots, especially important if cannabis use has affected your saliva production.

Bottom Line

Cannabis may be natural but it's not risk-free for your mouth. The research is clear: chronic use, especially combined with tobacco, increases your risk of oral cell abnormalities, dry mouth, and ultimately oral cancer. The good news? Awareness, preventive care, and regular screening can catch problems early. If you're a cannabis user, prioritize dental check-ups, stay hydrated, and maintain meticulous oral hygiene. Your future self will thank you.