Our teeth and gums have a major impact on our overall health.
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The Mediterranean diet is renowned for its health benefits, lowering the risk of everything from heart disease to certain cancers – and now, a new study has another perk for the list: better gum health.
Our teeth and gums have a major impact on our overall health. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, has been tied to chronic inflammation, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, premature birth, and low birth weight.
Researchers found that Britons who did not follow the Mediterranean diet tended to have more severe gum disease, particularly if they ate a lot of red meat. They also had higher levels of proteins linked to inflammation.
Meanwhile, people whose eating habits closely resembled the Mediterranean diet – nutrient-dense and rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, and olive oil – had lower levels of these inflammatory markers, known as Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP).
“Our findings suggest that a balanced, Mediterranean-type diet could potentially reduce gum disease and systemic inflammation,” Giuseppe Mainas, one of the study’s authors and a researcher at King’s College London, said in a statement.
The study, which was published in the Journal of Periodontology, included 195 hospital patients in the United Kingdom. They underwent dental exams, had blood samples drawn, and were surveyed about their diets.
It is the latest study to identify health benefits tied to the Mediterranean-style diet, which include better heart health, sleep quality, and mental health, as well as lower risks from type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.
The Mediterranean diet is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which may help explain why it appears to play a role in oral health, the researchers said.
Mainas said the apparent link between diet, inflammation, and gum health “should be holistically considered” when doctors treat patients with gum disease.
An estimated one billion people worldwide are affected by gum disease, with poor oral hygiene and tobacco use the key risk factors, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
It is characterised by gingivitis – bleeding or swollen gums – as well as pain, bad breath, and loose teeth in severe cases.
Luigi Nibali, one of the study’s authors and a periodontology professor at King’s College London, said the new findings contribute to “emerging evidence about the role that a balanced diet might have in maintaining” good gum health.
But in a statement, he added that “more investigation is needed to develop personalised approaches to help people manage their gum health”.
