When it comes to history, few plants touch as many eras as marijuana. With ties to ancient sailing, colonial America, World War II textiles, groovy headbands, jazz, reefer madness, international drug cartels, epilepsy treatments and pain alleviation (to name a few), just saying the word “marijuana” is likely to spark an argument. But due to recent law changes, the use of marijuana in the United States isn’t as taboo as it used to be. 

Marijuana is a common name for cannabis, a genus of flowering plants in the family Cannabaceae that have been cultivated by humans for around 5,000 years for a variety of purposes. Also known as hemp, grass, hash, pot or weed — is legal for adult recreational use in 11 states and for medical use in 33 states. According to a national survey, one in seven U.S. adults reported using marijuana in 2017. While it is consumed in a variety of fashions both internally and externally, the most common method of marijuana use is smoking. 

Oral problems can also exist with alternative forms of marijuana consumption. Some people use it by vaporizing, brewing it as a tea, or eating it in food such as brownies and gummies. Beyond the effects of marijuana itself, some edible products can expose your already-dry teeth to additional sugar and promote tooth decay. What’s more, consumption and vaping of marijuana products from unlicensed sellers can pass along harmful byproducts and non-FDA-approved substances, such as vitamin E acetate and even butane.