2Firsts, September 12, 2025 — The study, “Associations of Current Cigarette, E-Cigarette, and Cannabis Use with Xerostomia,” was published online in JDR Clinical & Translational Research (SAGE, 2025) by B.W. Chaffee (UCSF School of Dentistry). Using the nationally representative PATH Wave 7 sample (Jan 2022–Apr 2023), the study quantified links between product use and dry mouth, a common symptom affecting quality of life. Prior evidence tied smoking and cannabis to xerostomia; evidence for e-cigarettes has been limited. This study adds general-population data.
Key Findings
Sample & outcome: 29,721 adults; ~9.7% reported “frequently/always” dry mouth.
Past-30-day use (adjusted): cigarettes (AOR ≈ 1.52), e-cigarettes (≈ 1.46), cannabis (≈ 1.57) associated with higher xerostomia odds; pipes also showed an association (AOR ≈ 2.01), but small sample warrants caution.
Use frequency (dose–response): vs. no use in past year, daily use linked to higher odds (cigarettes ≈ 1.67; e-cigarettes ≈ 1.80; cannabis ≈ 2.15). Non-daily associations were weaker.
Combined use: compared with using none of the three in the past 30 days, using any one, any two, or all three increased odds stepwise; all three together were highest (AOR ≈ 3.80).
Consistency across groups: patterns were broadly similar by sex and age.
Data Highlights (AORs, multivariable-adjusted)
Past-30-day: cigarettes 1.52; e-cigarettes 1.46; cannabis 1.57.
Daily use: cigarettes ~1.67; e-cigarettes ~1.80; cannabis ~2.15.
Use of all three: ~3.80 (95% CI ~2.78–5.20).
Conclusion
Current use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and cannabis—especially daily or multi-product use—is associated with higher odds of xerostomia among adults. Findings can inform dental practice (counseling, cessation support) and policy discussions.
Study Limitations (as noted by the author)
Cross-sectional: cannot establish causality or temporal order.
Self-report: behaviors and symptoms were self-reported; xerostomia, however, correlates reasonably with measured salivary flow.
Medication data limited: only counts of medication classes, not specific drug types (e.g., anticholinergics).
Cannabis mode not distinguished: could not separate edible vs. smoked vs. vaped.
Small Ns for some products: e.g., pipes, nicotine pouches—estimates less precise.
Article Details
Title: Associations of Current Cigarette, E-Cigarette, and Cannabis Use with Xerostomia
Author: B.W. Chaffee (UCSF School of Dentistry)
Publication date: Online, September 2025
Journal: JDR Clinical & Translational Research (SAGE)
DOI: 10.1177/23800844251364158
Images referenced are from the paper.
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