Mediterranean Diet and Gingivitis Improvement: Clinical Observations

In this randomized controlled clinical trial designed to investigate the effects of a 6-week Mediterranean diet (MD) intervention, under structured MD training and diet compliance monitoring, on gingival inflammation and anthropometric parameters of patients with gingivitis , the plaque index remained constant for both groups, MD and control Western diet (WD).
Inflammatory periodontal parameters (bleeding on probing, gingival index, inflamed periodontal surface area) and anthropometric parameters (body weight, body mass index, waist circumference) decreased significantly only in the MD group.
Diet evaluation revealed sufficient adherence of the test group to the MD, with a reduction in starch, glucose and fructose, indicating that the relative proportion of high glycemic index foods was reduced.
Within 6 weeks of switching from a WD to an MD, sufficient dietary change occurred for patients with gingivitis to result in a significant reduction in gingivitis despite the presence of plaque.
The dietary training employed achieved beneficial changes in macronutrient intake and a significant loss of body weight and waist circumference, which could favorably impact systemic and oral inflammatory status.

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a six-week Mediterranean diet (MD) intervention on gingival anthropometric and inflammatory parameters of patients with gingivitis.

Materials and methods

Forty-two participants were assigned to the MD group (MDG) or the control group (CG). After a two-week equilibration period regarding dental care procedures, only MDG changed his diet to MD for six weeks, supported by dietary counseling.

Gingival and anthropometric parameters were evaluated at baseline (T0), week 2 (T1, beginning of the MD intervention), and week 8 (T2).

MD adherence was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS), dietary behavior was assessed using the German Health Interview and Examination Survey Adult Food Frequency Questionnaire (DEGS-FFQ).

Results

Plaque values remained constant in both groups. Periodontal and anthropometric inflammatory parameters decreased only in the MDG (gingival index: T1 1.51±0.21, T2 1.49±0.24; bleeding on probing: T1 51.00±14.65, T2 39.93 ±13.74; body weight: T1 79.01±15.62, T2 77.29±17.00 waist circumference: T1 84.41±10.1, T2 83.17±10.47 (p < 0.05) MEDAS revealed sufficient adherence to the MDG diet.

Gingival inflammatory parameters are significantly reduced within 6 weeks after adopting a Mediterranean diet

Conclusions

Within this study, gingival inflammatory parameters were significantly reduced by MD, while plaque parameters remained constant.
Dietary counseling achieved sufficient adherence with beneficial changes in weight loss and waist circumference.

Clinical relevance

Scientific rationale for the study : Recent consensus reports and clinical guidelines have noted a lack of randomized controlled trials focusing on nutrition and its role in the prevention and treatment of dental and periodontal diseases.

Main findings : Within 6 weeks, a sufficient dietary shift from a Western to a Mediterranean diet was achieved for gingivitis patients in the test group, resulting in a significant reduction in gingivitis despite the presence of plaque.

Practical implications : A Mediterranean diet could reduce periodontal inflammatory parameters, indicating that it could benefit patients suffering from gingivitis.

Mediterranean Diet and Gingivitis Improvement: Clinical Observations

The Mediterranean diet contributes to the improvement of gingival inflammatory and anthropometric parameters, highlighting the potential oral health benefits of dietary interventions rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats.