The Role of Diet in Periodontal Inflammation: A Controlled Clinical Study

Summary

Diet can influence the body's healing and repair mechanisms. A dietary imbalance obviously cannot trigger periodontal disease in the absence of a primum movens, which is bacterial plaque. However, it can condition its severity and extent by altering the permeability of the oral mucosa, the effectiveness of the immune response and the reparative potential of the gingival tissues.

Nutraceuticals is the science that studies the effects of the so-called food-drug, i.e. those foods that contain substances capable of performing a pharmacological function, modifying the functions of the organism. In particular, some molecules that are assimilated through various foods are able to penetrate the cell nucleus and influence, through an epigenetic mechanism, the expression or otherwise of some genes. The aim of our controlled study is to understand whether a vegetarian/vegan diet can be considered as protective for periodontal health compared to an omnivorous diet. For this purpose, we used a test group of 22 omnivorous subjects and a control group of 22 vegetarian/vegan patients in which experimental gingivitis was induced.

Conditions

• Periodontal Inflammation
• Periodontal Diseases

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Vegan/vegetarian diet

At baseline, following the compilation of a periodontal chart in which pocket probing depth (PPD) and FMPS and FMBS were recorded, patients with pathological probing depths \>3mm associated with periodontitis were excluded. Healthy patients underwent a prophylaxis session and oral hygiene instructions with brushing and flossing. A mouthwash based on chlorhexifdine 0.20% to be used twice a day was prescribed. At 15 days from the baseline (T0) the periodontal chart was compiled again and the parameters relating to PD, FMP, FMBS and the Eastman Interdental Bleeding Index (EIBI) were collected. Patients with FMBS and FMPS values \>20% were excluded. From time T0 all patients were asked to suspend the interdental hygiene maneuvers by interrupting the use of dental floss and abandoning the use of mouthwash. All patients were recalled weekly, for a total of 4 times (T1, T2, T3, T4) in which parameters related to FMBS, FMPS and EIBI were recorded.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Omnivorous diet

At baseline, following the compilation of a periodontal chart in which pocket probing depth (PPD) and FMPS and FMBS were recorded, patients with pathological probing depths \>3mm associated with periodontitis were excluded. Healthy patients underwent a prophylaxis session and oral hygiene instructions with brushing and flossing. A mouthwash based on chlorhexifdine 0.20% to be used twice a day was prescribed. At 15 days from the baseline (T0) the periodontal chart was compiled again and the parameters relating to PD, FMP, FMBS and the Eastman Interdental Bleeding Index (EIBI) were collected. Patients with FMBS and FMPS values \>20% were excluded. From time T0 all patients were asked to suspend the interdental hygiene maneuvers by interrupting the use of dental floss and abandoning the use of mouthwash. All patients were recalled weekly, for a total of 4 times (T1, T2, T3, T4) in which parameters related to FMBS, FMPS and EIBI were recorded.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• G. d'Annunzio University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Michele Paolantonio, MD; DDS · University G. D'Annunzio Chieti-Pescara

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-04-01

Primary Completion

2024-05-30

Completion

2024-05-30

Countries

• Italy

Study Locations