Getting wisdom teeth removed, smoking cannabis drugs. Will it cause detrimental health effects?
Patient: I am getting my wisdom teeth removed in early/mid August, it is currently early/mid July. I smoke cannabis mildly (about once a week average) and I have heard that if one smokes cannabis 30 days prior to the operation, it can have detrimental health affects. I take no other drugs/alcohol and I have a very health lifestyle. How soon should I refrain from smoking? Doctor: Hello, Thanks for the question. Smoking pure Cannabis not mixed with tobacco has never been directly associated with any pre/post operative complications in dentistry. However, certain combustion (burning) by products of almost all materials can be carcinogenic (cancer causing). Marijuana use is also implicated in Hypotension (reduced blood pressure).   You should also bare in mind that Cannabis (Aka. Pot, Marijuana etc) is an illegal drug (narcotic) in almost all countries. If you are using Marijuana medicinally i.e if Medical use is permitted where you live, you should talk to your doctor before discontinuing the drug.  Having said that, there is no ascribed safe period.   In any case, don't go for you appointment 'high', stop using it at least 1 week before the surgery and abstain for at least 2 week post operative. The act of dragging on your joint/reefer/bong etc will cause negative pressure in your oral cavity that can lead to clot displacement. This can cause a painful condition called 'Dry Socket'.  Hope my answer was useful to you.