CBD in dentistry: New study shows potential against bacteria and fungi

Research around CBD is developing rapidly. While cannabidiol is already being intensively studied for topics such as sleep, stress, or regeneration, the focus of science is now increasingly directed towards dentistry. A new scientific review from 2025 titled “Potential Antimicrobial Use of Cannabidiol in Dentistry: A Scoping Review” comprehensively analyzes for the first time the antimicrobial properties of CBD in the oral cavity. The results are remarkable: CBD could play an important role in the future in combating caries bacteria, gum inflammation, and even fungal infections in the mouth. Particularly exciting is that cannabidiol showed comparable effects to classic agents like chlorhexidine in several studies – but possibly with fewer side effects.

What did the new 2025 CBD study investigate?

The study published in the Dentistry Journal evaluated scientific works from 2019 to 2025. A total of over 1200 publications were analyzed, of which finally ten studies met the strict inclusion criteria. The focus was on the question of whether CBD has antibacterial and antifungal properties against oral pathogens. The researchers examined various microorganisms associated with typical dental diseases. These included, among others:

• Streptococcus mutans – main cause of caries
• Porphyromonas gingivalis – central in periodontitis
• Candida albicans – often responsible for oral fungal infections
• other bacteria involved in inflammation and biofilms

The results clearly show: CBD was able to inhibit the growth of various microorganisms and reduce biofilms.

How does CBD work against oral bacteria?

The studies suggest that CBD acts on multiple levels simultaneously. Particularly interesting is cannabidiol’s ability to disrupt the protective structure of bacterial biofilms.

CBD can weaken bacterial biofilms

Many oral diseases arise from so-called biofilms – bacterial communities that settle on teeth and gums. These structures protect bacteria from external influences and complicate treatment. The analyzed studies showed that CBD:

• can alter the cell walls of certain bacteria
• disrupts bacterial communication ("quorum sensing")
• destabilizes the structure of biofilms
• inhibits the multiplication of germs

As a result, bacteria could become more vulnerable to the body’s immune defense and other therapies.

CBD against caries and gum inflammation

The effect of CBD against Streptococcus mutans – the bacterium significantly involved in the development of caries – was studied particularly often.

Reduced growth of caries bacteria

Several investigations showed that cannabidiol could significantly reduce the growth of S. mutans. Additionally, treated biofilms appeared less dense and more porous. Inhibitory effects were also observed on bacteria associated with periodontitis. These include:

• Porphyromonas gingivalis
• Fusobacterium nucleatum
• Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans

These findings are relevant because chronic gum inflammation can be linked to general health problems such as diabetes or cardiovascular diseases.

Antifungal effect: CBD against Candida albicans

Besides bacteria, several studies also examined the effect of CBD against fungi.

Potential in oral candidiasis

The yeast Candida albicans naturally belongs to the oral flora. However, if the balance in the mouth is disturbed, the fungus can multiply strongly and cause discomfort. Research shows that CBD:

• can inhibit the growth of Candida albicans
• reduces adhesion to mucous membranes
• influences the formation of aggressive fungal forms

Thus, cannabidiol could become therapeutically interesting in the future for fungal infections in the mouth.

CBD products and mouthwashes

A particularly exciting part of the study concerns the application of CBD in dental products. Several research works tested:

• CBD-containing products
• Mouthwashes with CBD
• Hydrogels
• Varnishes with controlled drug release
• Biomaterial-based applications

A mouthwash with 1% CBD produced an antibacterial effect comparable to chlorhexidine according to the study. CBD toothpastes also showed promising results against plaque bacteria.

Why CBD is so interesting in dentistry

Classic antibacterial agents like chlorhexidine are considered effective but can cause side effects with long-term use. These include:

• Tooth discoloration
• Changes in taste
• Mucosal irritations
• Disruptions of the natural oral flora

Plant-based agents like CBD could in the future represent a gentler supplement. Additionally, cannabidiol possesses according to research:

1. anti-inflammatory properties
2. antioxidant effects
3. immunomodulatory effects

This means that CBD could not only act against germs but simultaneously positively influence inflammatory processes in the oral cavity.

The limits of current research

Despite the promising results, the authors of the review emphasize that further research is necessary. Many of the previous investigations were:

• conducted in the laboratory (in vitro)
• tested with different CBD concentrations
• analyzed under non-standardized conditions

The quality of commercial CBD products also plays an important role. Differences in purity, production, and concentration can significantly affect efficacy.

What significance does the study have for the future?

The scientific work clearly shows that CBD in dentistry could be much more than just a short-term trend. Especially the combination of:

• antibacterial effect
• antifungal properties
• anti-inflammatory effects
• versatile application possibilities

makes cannabidiol an exciting research field for modern oral health products. In the future, we could increasingly see:

• Special CBD products (CBD-xylitol beads with fresh organic mint)
• CBD mouthwashes like oil pulling
• Regenerative dental materials with cannabinoids
• Innovative solutions against plaque and inflammation

Conclusion: CBD shows great potential for oral health

The new review from 2025 provides strong evidence that CBD could be effective against various oral pathogens. Especially for caries bacteria, gum inflammation, and fungal infections, the current results show great potential. Although further clinical studies are necessary, current research indicates that CBD in dentistry could play an important complementary role in the future – particularly in innovative oral care products and modern therapy concepts. For consumers, this means above all one thing: The connection between CBD and oral health will likely gain significantly in importance in the coming years.

Source reference:

Potential Antimicrobial Use of Cannabidiol in Dentistry: A Scoping Review. Dent. J. 2025, 13(11), 519.

HANAFSAN Blog. Holistic dental care: With CBD, xylitol and oil pulling to healthy teeth

Photos: HANAFSAN