Mediterranean-style diet linked to better gum health, study finds

A British study of 195 hospital patients found that adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet is associated with better gum health, while higher red meat intake and not following the plant-rich pattern correlated with more severe periodontal disease. Researchers performed dental exams and blood tests and adjusted for age, smoking status and gender to isolate dietary effects.

The Mediterranean diet emphasizes lean meats, poultry, grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes and olive oil. Those who did not follow the diet and ate more red meat showed higher levels of inflammatory markers in the blood, including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP), while participants who included more plant-based foods tended to have lower inflammation. The scientists described the findings as important and noted that a diet rich in plant-based macronutrients and micronutrients may help reduce periodontal inflammation. Dr Giuseppe Mainas, a researcher in clinical dentistry at King's College London and study co-author, said: 'We observed that there may be a connection between periodontal disease severity, diet, and inflammation. A Mediterranean-style diet plan has long been hailed as the secret behind Italians and Spaniards living long and healthy lives and low rates of obesity and diet-related illnesses. These aspects should be holistically considered when assessing the treatment for gum disease in patients. Our research offers an important starting point that can lead to more research to better understand the relationship between foods intake and gum disease.' Professor Luigi Nibali, an expert in periodontology at King's College London and study co-author, added: 'There is emerging evidence about the role that a balanced diet might have in maintaining a periodontal healthy status. More investigation is needed to develop personalised approaches to help people manage their gum health.'

In the UK, figures show just under half of adults have some form of gum disease, a condition that leaves gums red, swollen, sore and bleeding and is caused by plaque buildup on the teeth. The condition can lead to jaw bone loss and damage the connective tissue that keeps teeth in place, and it can be prevented by brushing to remove plaque before it hardens into tartar. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, has also previously been tied to chronic inflammation and a range of health issues, including heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

In the study, researchers analyzed the health records of 195 hospital patients by performing dental exams and taking blood samples. Participants also completed dietary questionnaires. After accounting for factors such as age, smoking status and gender, they found those who ate more red meat and did not follow the Mediterranean diet had higher levels of circulating inflammatory markers. Higher consumption of vegetables, legumes and dairy products were correlated with lower CRP; there were also beneficial trends for fruit and olive oil. The researchers wrote in the Journal of Periodontology that diet should be holistically considered when assessing periodontitis and inflammation, but noted that these results should be interpreted with caution, and larger studies are needed to confirm them. Tests to detect the bacteria causing gum disease exist, but results can take up to a week.

The study adds to a growing body of evidence about the link between diet, inflammation and oral health, but officials caution that the findings are preliminary and require replication in larger cohorts.