Can CBD effectively treat oral disorders? One study shows significant promise

A recent study in the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) investigated the therapeutic efficacy of cannabidiol (CBD) in the treatment of oral disorders, finding that evidence from a limited number of small trials suggests that CBD may have potential in managing specific conditions, particularly orofacial pain and inflammatory diseases.

CBD for muscle dysfunction

Researchers conducted seven studies (both randomized and nonrandomized) to evaluate CBD's ability to ease orofacial conditions topically and orally. Three randomized clinical trials (RCTs) used it to treat TMJ, bruxism, and general orofacial pain. No adverse effects were reported, with results being markedly promising in all three areas:

• Patients saw a 73% reduction in postoperative dental pain

• Bruxism-related pain fell by 57.4%

• Myofascial pain was reduced by 70.2%

CBD for gingival inflammation

Next, CBD toothpastes and mouthrinses were tested for potential anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties in two studies. Researchers noted a significant reduction in gingival inflammation, plaque, and bleeding-with one study reporting that participants experienced 61.1% less bleeding and 60.9% less plaque when CBD toothpaste was applied, which is a notable improvement compared to those using either chlorhexidine or a placebo.

CBD for ulcer management

One additional RCT utilized CBD toothpaste to see if it could reduce ulcer size and lower pain scores in those suffering from aphthous ulcers. Out of the 72 participants, those who took CBD reported their ulcer size reducing by nearly 100% compared to those taking a placebo (results showed a 175% increase in ulcer size for this group).

CBD for oral microbiota modulation

The final clinical trial involved CBD lozenges to manage Streptococcus mutans through a single daily dose of 300 mg over a 15-day period. Although the preliminary results showed that CBD may be able to modulate oral bacteria, the sample size of this study was too small to draw any conclusive results. However, it is worth noting that the lozenges did significantly decrease the amount of S. mutans compared to those taking a placebo.

Overall, CBD may be an effective treatment for oral pain and inflammation, but additional testing and research is needed before it can be widely integrated into dentistry.

Reference

1. de Abreu LM, Biancardi MR, Di Benedetto M, et al. Therapeutic potential of cannabidiol in oral disorders: a systematic review of clinical evidence. J Am Dent Assoc. 2025;156(10):838-850.e2. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2025.07.021