A newly published journal article says the cannabis component CBD could be an effective way to avoid oral infections when incorporated into the primary material used in dentures.
Published last month in the journal Molecules, the government-funded research says bonding CBD to dentures demonstrates “potential for antibiotic-free denture coatings, reducing dental biofilms and plaque formation, and improving oral health outcomes.”
To study the properties of CBD in dentures, researchers incorporated the cannabinoid into a type of plastic known as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), which the paper explains is “the primary material for dentures due to its favorable physical and aesthetic qualities.” Researchers then tested antimicrobial activity against three types of bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus agalactiae.
Results showed that the CBD denture coatings had “significant bactericidal effects” against so-called Gram-positive bacteria. In terms of Gram-negative bacteria—which are typically more resistant to antibiotics—the CBD coating was ineffective against free-floating, so-called “planktonic” Gram-negative bacteria but effectively eliminated communities of bacteria known as biofilms.
“Biofilm studies revealed a 99% reduction in biofilm growth for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria on CBD-infused PMMA compared to standard PMMA,” the report says. “The CBD disrupted bacterial cell ways, causing lysis,” or the breakdown of the cell itself.
“In summary,” authors wrote, “biofilm studies showed PMMA/CBD coatings were effective in eradicating all the pathogens on their surface.”
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