CBD toothpaste: Evidence, hype, and what dentists should know with Tree Mainella!

You first heard about it in our episode with Dr. Brian Nový, and now we're taking a deeper dive into what's real, what's hype, and what dental professionals should actually know. Tree unpacks the science behind CBD, CBG, and their role in oral health, cutting through the noise to share what makes this category of toothpaste so unique and potentially impactful. Whether you're curious, skeptical, or already a believer, this episode is packed with insight you won't want to miss.

Q&A with an Tree Mainella

In the interview below, Tree shares their expert insight on CBD toothpaste, its benefits, effects, and the science behind why it works.

What inspired the development of a CBD/CBG toothpaste?

"I've been in the dental industry for decades. I've worked for various companies in marketing, product management, and all of that good stuff." Tree says. "About six years ago, I had an idea and decided to embark on an endeavor with a very dear friend of mine who used to own a well-known dental company. She and I are partners in Birch Tree Hemp. There were a lot of products coming out with CBD, and we did our research and found the finest natural ingredients and put them into a toothpaste."

What's the scientific rationale for using cannabinoids in the oral cavity?

"If you know anything about the endocannabinoid system, our bodies have receptors for cannabinoids-and some of the greatest concentrations are in the oral cavity. So I wanted to combine a few cannabinoids: CBD and CBG." Tree explains. "For those who don't know, CBG is the "mother" of all cannabinoids-it's what CBD is derived from. It's quite an extraction process, and of course, you have to ensure there's no THC, which is the psychoactive component.

The cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory effects and help reduce plaque formation. We also included other ingredients like xylitol and a little manuka honey.

You might think, 'Why manuka honey?' It has incredible health benefits, one of which is tissue regeneration. It's been used medically on third-degree burn victims to help regenerate epithelial cells. So I put it in the toothpaste because the manuka honey works topically on tissue issues-bleeding gums, necrotic tissue-while the cannabinoids work systemically."

What should clinicians look for when evaluating CBD oral-care products?

"When CBD came out, you could buy it at gas stations, which doesn't mean it's the real deal. Anytime you're researching a CBD product-whether toothpaste, a topical, tincture, anything-look for COAs, Certificates of Analysis." Says Tree. "We only use certified growers and extractors. All products are non-GMO and sourced from legitimate suppliers. Every batch goes to a third-party lab to verify that what we say is in the tube is actually in the tube. The COAs are on our website."

How does cannabinoid toothpaste compare to traditional formulations?

"The toothpaste contains no fluoride-absolutely none. No sodium lauryl sulfate either. Commercial toothpastes foam dramatically because of SLS, which makes you think something is happening. But that foam actually makes your toothbrush hydroplane on the teeth-you want the bristles to contact the surfaces."

Tree then discusses why Birch Tree Hemp's CBD toothpaste is different.

"Ours doesn't foam heavily, and everything in it is natural. The toothpaste also has 250 mg of CBD and 50 mg of CBG-the highest concentration of cannabinoids in a toothpaste. I didn't want this to be a gimmick. There are plenty of hemp seed toothpastes; hemp seed is inert. It does nothing. Full-spectrum hemp extract is what matters."

When would you recommend CBD toothpaste?

"We tested it on patients with necrotic tissue and bleeding gums. And I'll admit-I hate drinking water, so I dump lemon juice in it, which is so bad. I'm prone to canker sores because of that. Since I've been using this toothpaste, I've had zero canker sores. Patients told us their gums stopped bleeding when flossing, their mouths felt cleaner the next morning, less morning breath, less fuzziness."

Tree also mentions that they would recommend CBD toothpaste following oral surgery, especially for patients who prefer more natural remedies.

What's the difference between CBD, CBG, and THC?

"CBD and CBG are extracted from the cannabis plant through an elaborate process. If done properly, there is essentially zero THC. Products must test at less than 0.03% THC, which is nominal. Proper extraction removes anything psychoactive.

Still, always check the COA-some manufacturers claim CBD or CBG when it's really just hemp seed. We work with certified growers in California and Colorado. Even though toothpaste is still considered a cosmetic, we treat this like a pharmaceutical-grade product. If the FDA ever audits us, we have every single document. Companies that don't follow these standards will eventually be shut down."

What does CBD toothpaste taste like?

"Cannabinoids are extremely bitter. During formulation, there were iterations where I thought, "Oh my God, no one will ever use this." Therefore, we worked with flavor chemists to eliminate the bitterness and aftertaste. We use natural peppermint and spearmint oils. Some commercial toothpastes are so strong they can irritate tissue-I've had sloughing from some of them. Ours is subtle, pleasant, not overpowering."

You can watch the full episode with Tree on Youtube.

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