How What You Eat Affects Your Mouth—And the Rest of Your Body

According to a study, diet, inflammation, and gum health are related.

The findings of a study on how dietary decisions affect systemic inflammation and periodontal therapy and the effects of limiting sugar intake on oral and systemic health were presented at the European Society of Periodontology (EuroPerio).

The study also explored the benefits of reducing sugar intake for oral and overall health.

Over 11 years, scientists examined the interplay between participants’ gum health, eating patterns, and systemic inflammation. The team analyzed data from over 3,300 individuals, categorizing them based on their periodontal disease status and adherence to pro-inflammatory diets.

Researchers clarified that pro-inflammatory diets typically include processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and high sugar content.

The findings revealed that patients with severe periodontitis who followed pro-inflammatory diets showed significantly elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a key indicator of systemic inflammation. Notably, these effects persisted long-term, with obesity playing a partial role in this relationship.

EuroPerio’s scientific chair, Professor Lior Shapira, commended the study for illustrating the complex interplay between oral health, diet, and systemic diseases.

He further emphasized that periodontitis impacts extend beyond the oral cavity, significantly affecting both oral and gut microbiomes. The combination of a pro-inflammatory diet and periodontal disease can amplify systemic inflammation, potentially leading to wide-ranging health consequences.