A new study published in the International Dental Journal found that CBD and CBG, nonpsychoactive compounds from cannabis, can suppress cavity-causing biofilms and reduce bacteria viability by 92% to 95%, suggesting these cannabinoids may have potential as future dental treatments.
- CBD and CBG inhibited cavity-causing bacteria (Streptococcus mutans) by over 2 logs and dramatically reduced Candida albicans viability in lab tests.
- Biofilm formation decreased significantly, with a 96% reduction in metabolic activity and an 80% reduction in biomass when treated with 5 µg/mL of either compound.
- Repeated treatment showed sustained effectiveness: CBD decreased viable bacteria by 92% after two days and 95% after three days.
- Results were based on lab models mimicking tooth enamel, but researchers noted limitations and called for studies using more complex oral biofilm systems.
Cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG), nonpsychoactive cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, may suppress the formation of biofilms that cause cavities and disrupt existing biofilms, according to a recently published study in the International Dental Journal.
The findings appear to show that CBD and CBG inhibited biofilms containing Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Candida albicans (C. albicans), laying the foundation to conduct more research into cannabinoids as biofilm modulators. This study is believed to be the first to evaluate the efficacy of CBD and CBG in S. mutans–C. albicans dual-species communities, the authors wrote.
“This study identifies nonpsychoactive phytocannabinoid-responsive phenotypes in cross-kingdom cariogenic biofilms and highlights their potential to modulate biofilm virulence,” wrote the authors, led by Yuankun Zhai of Henan University in China (Int Dent J, September 19, 2026, Vol. 76:6, 111173).
Previous studies have shown that cannabinoids have antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects against cavity-causing biofilms individually; however, little was known about how CBD and CBG would work against mixed-species biofilms. Biofilms with mixed species are more difficult to manage, according to the study.
Therefore, a study was done to determine whether CBD and CBG inhibit cariogenic traits in S. mutans−C. albicans biofilms. Researchers developed S. mutans and C. albicans-containing biofilms, including models grown on saliva-coated hydroxyapatite discs designed to mimic tooth enamel, and conducted lab experiments.
When the models were treated with 5 µg/mL of either CBD or CBG, the viable cells of S. mutans were suppressed by over 2 logs, and the viability of C. albicans was dramatically inhibited. Additionally, biofilm formation decreased, which was proven by a 96% reduction in metabolic activity and an 80% reduction in biomass compared to untreated controls, the authors wrote.
Once the treatment was repeated, CBD decreased viable S. mutans levels by 92% after two days and 95% after three days. CBG fared nearly as well, decreasing the bacteria by 90% and 92%, respectively, they wrote.
Nevertheless, researchers acknowledged that the study had limitations. Since the results were based on in vitro dual-species models on hydroxyapatite discs, they were unable to encapsulate the complete complexity of factors, including dental plaque, dietary fluctuation, or host immunity, they wrote.
“These results characterize phytocannabinoid-associated responses in a cross-kingdom dental biofilm model and provide a basis for future studies using more complex oral biofilm systems,” Zhai and colleagues wrote.
