Why should you tell your dental provider about recreational drug or cannabis use?

You may be wondering why your dental provider needs to know about something as personal as drug or cannabis use. It's a fair question, and the honest answer is that it can directly affect your safety during treatment. What you use, and when you last used it, may affect numbing medicine, sedation and pain relief. Sharing this information helps your dental provider plan safer care without having to guess. 

What you will learn in this article: 

• Some numbing medicines may be risky if you are currently high. 

• Regular cannabis use may affect how much sedation you need. 

• Pain medicines that are not opioids often work well for dental pain. 

• Sharing a full, current health history helps your dental provider plan safer care. 

If this feels hard to discuss, schedule an appointment with an Aspen Dental provider and ask to speak privately. A short, honest conversation can help your care team plan with your safety in mind. 

How can cannabis affect numbing medicine and sedation? 

According to the American Dental Association, being high during a dental visit can raise your heart rate and make epinephrine in some numbing medicines risky. In a 2023 retrospective study of 189 oral-surgery patients, the 57 people who reported regular cannabis use received more of four IV anesthetic medicines than nonusers.¹ 

This does not mean everyone who uses cannabis will need a different dose. What you use, how often you use it and when you last used it can all help your dental provider judge the risk. Be honest before treatment so your dental provider can choose the safest plan or delay nonurgent care if needed. 

What if you need pain medicine after a dental procedure? 

You may worry that being honest about substance use will limit your pain relief. In fact, it can help your dental provider choose a safer plan that still keeps you comfortable. 

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research says anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen should be considered first for short-term dental pain. They may work as well as or better than opioids. If an opioid is needed, the medicine should act right away, the amount should be kept low and the prescription should cover only the brief period when severe pain is likely.² 

Tell your dental provider if you have had problems with alcohol or drugs, are in recovery, take buprenorphine or simply want to avoid opioids. Together, you can make a pain plan that fits your needs. 

What about other substances, like tobacco or methamphetamine? 

Your dental provider also needs to know about tobacco, vaping, methamphetamine and other substances. Each may affect your mouth or choices made during treatment. 

Dental teams can help people who use tobacco by asking about it, offering support and connecting them with quit treatment.³ If you want to stop, your dental provider can help you make a plan. 

Methamphetamine may lead to dry mouth and severe tooth decay. It is also linked with teeth grinding, jaw-joint problems and trouble opening the mouth. These effects can change how a dental provider plans numbing medicine, sedation or prescriptions.⁴ 

How do you bring up drug or cannabis use with your dental provider? 

It can feel awkward to start this conversation, but you do not need to explain it perfectly. Your dental provider asks about substances for the same reason they ask about medications: to keep your treatment safe. You can include the information on your health history form or share it before any visit that may involve numbing medicine, sedation or a prescription. 

Try to tell your dental provider: 

• What you use

• How much and how often you use it

• When you last used it

• Whether your use has recently changed

Remember to share your full medication history too. If talking feels difficult, write the details down or ask to speak with your dental provider privately. 

Contact your local dental provider before your next visit to update your health history and ask how it may affect your care. 

Telling your dental provider about recreational drug or cannabis use FAQs 

Still have questions about talking to your dental provider about drug or cannabis use? These answers cover a few common concerns. 

Will my dental provider judge me for using cannabis or other drugs? 

Many people feel nervous about this conversation. Your dental provider asks because substance use can affect numbing medicine, sedation and prescriptions—not to shame or punish you. Being honest helps your dental provider care for you safely. 

Does this conversation stay confidential, like the rest of my dental records? 

Most dental offices are covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, known as HIPAA, which requires safeguards for health records and limits how that information may be used or shared.⁵ There are legal exceptions, so ask the office about its privacy practices if you have concerns. 

Should I tell my dental provider about drug or cannabis use even for a routine cleaning? 

Yes. Update your health history at any visit, even if you are only having a routine cleaning. This information matters most before numbing medicine, sedation or a prescription, but a current record also helps your dental provider plan future care. 

Can I still get numbing shots at the dental provider if I use cannabis? 

Usually, yes. Cannabis use does not automatically rule out numbing medicine. If you used it recently or appear high, your dental provider may change the plan or delay nonurgent treatment. Tell them when you last used it so they can make a safe decision. 

What if I am worried about opioid pain medicine after my procedure? 

Tell your dental provider directly. They can explain pain-relief options that do not use opioids and build a plan around your health history. If an opioid is needed, ask how to take, store and dispose of it safely. 

Sources 

¹ American Dental Association, Library and Archives: “Cannabis: Oral Health Effects.” https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/cannabis-oral-health-effects 

² National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research: “Opioids – Information for Dentists.” https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/opioids-information-dentists 

³ American Dental Association, Library and Archives: “Tobacco Use and Cessation.” https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/tobacco-use-and-cessation 

⁴ American Dental Association, Library and Archives: “Methamphetamine.” https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/methamphetamine 

⁵ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights: “Your Rights Under HIPAA.” https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/guidance-materials-for-consumers/index.html