The availability of plant-based products containing CBD has exploded in recent years. From oils and tinctures to drinks, edibles, topical creams, and more, CBD seems to be popping up everywhere. With natural alternative remedies only increasing in popularity, it won’t be surprising to soon find CBD almost everywhere we turn.

CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is a compound derived from the hemp plant, widely noted for its anti-inflammatory properties and its effectiveness in improving mood and supporting general wellness. Because it is all-natural and plant-based, CBD has become highly sought-after as an alternative treatment for conditions like anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain and even epilepsy. But the potential applications of CBD are really only just beginning to be explored.

Clinically Effective for Pain and Inflammation

The incorporation of CBD as a key ingredient in Fitodenta’s Dental Surgery Oral Care Kit is part of a growing movement to develop more focused and scientifically-proven applications for CBD. Despite its apparent ubiquity, CBD has in fact been the subject of relatively few clinical studies. But those studies that have been conducted, like the clinical study of Fitodenta’s mouth spray and topical gel, have only helped to substantiate CBD’s considerable promise.

The anti-pain and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD make it a highly beneficial compound for use in dental healing. Studies have shown that CBD exerts analgesic effects for several types of pain and inflammation, including acute edema and chronic arthritis. [1,2] It was for precisely these properties that CBD was chosen to be incorporated into Fitodenta’s oral care products, to improve the post-operative experience of patients healing from dental surgery.

The efficacy of CBD in improving dental healing was demonstrated in a clinical study of Fitodenta’s products, which showed that the combined use of the CBD-containing mouth spray and topical gel quickly reduced pain and improved healing times by up to 40% when compared to NSAIDs and high doses of antibiotics. This study helps position CBD as a suitable alternative to traditional treatments, adding to a growing body of evidence showing that CBD “may work synergistically to allow lowered opioid dosing.” [3]

A Growing Body of Research on CBD

More research is certainly needed to fully understand the potential benefits and range of applications for CBD, but as regulations on the growing and processing of hemp and hemp-extracts relax around the world, CBD is beginning to move to center stage as the subject of serious scientific and medical research. Studies have indicated, for example, that CBD may have neuroprotective properties that could be beneficial in the treatment of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.[4] Early research has also suggested that CBD could be used as a complementary treatment alongside traditional cancer treatments.

When it comes to dental uses, CBD is emerging as a key part of effective alternatives to the typical post-surgery regimen of NSAIDs, opioids, and high doses of antibiotics. One key benefit of CBD in treating post-surgery healing is its relative safety. Given that CBD has no psychoactive effects, it does not produce the “high” typically associated with cannabis. CBD is also generally well-tolerated, with only mild or infrequent side effects, such as dry mouth or changes in appetite.[5] Of course, CBD should be used in consultation with healthcare professionals, to reduce potential risks and help ensure its safe and effective application.

Sources

[1] Zuardi, A.W. (2008). Cannabidiol: from an inactive cannabinoid to a drug with wide spectrum of action. Rev. Bras. Psiquiatr. 30: 271–280.

[2] Nagarkatti P,Pandey R, Rieder SA, Hegde VL, and Nagarkatti M (2009). Cannabinoids as novel anti-inflammatory drugs. Future Med Chem. 1(7): 1333–1349.

[3] Strouse, Thomas (2016). Cannabinoids in Medical Practice. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. 1(1): 40.

[4] Cheng D, Spiro AS, Jenner AM, Garner B, Karl T (2014). Long-term cannabidiol treatment prevents the development of social recognition memory deficits in Alzheimer’s disease transgenic mice. J Alzheimers Dis. 42(4):1383-96.

[5] Larsen C, and Shahinas J (2020). Dosage, Efficacy and Safety of Cannabidiol Administration in Adults: A Systematic Review of Human Trials. J Clin Meds Res. 12(3): 129-141.