New research presented today at Europerio11The world’s top conference in periodontology and dental implantation from European Federation of Periodontics (EFP), It suggests that intermittent fasting could help reduce inflammation in the gums and improve some health indicators, even when oral hygiene is temporarily neglected.
The study, conducted by researchers at the Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin in Germany, compared two types of fasting, with a time and spice fasting (similar to Ramadan fasting), with a regular diet. The study found that both fasting methods helped reduce gum inflammation and improved other health -related parameters such as blood sugar, body weight and body inflammation levels.
This study provides early indications that fasting can reduce inflammatory reactions to the gums, which could have a significant impact on overall health and disease prevention. While oral hygiene (thread and brushing) remains the cornerstone of periodontal care, our findings suggest that diet – especially fasting protocols – can complement existing prevention strategies. “
Doctor Christina Pappe, Head of Study Researcher
The test included 66 healthy, non -smokers without a historical gum or general health problems. Participants were assigned to one of three groups:
- Limited Consumption Time (TRE): Fasting for 16 hours daily with food allowed in an 8 -hour diet window
- Bahai Dry Fasting: No food or drink from sunrise to sunset
- Control Group: There are no dietary restrictions
To create a mild inflammatory response, the participants were invited not to brush a part of their mouths for nine days, while continuing the assignment of eating routine. The main result measured was how much the gums bleed when they were gently checked with a dental detector (Bop bleeding – BOP) a key sign of gum inflammation.
Basic results
After 9 days, gum bleeding increased by:
- 14.6% in Tre group
- 14.9% in the control group
- Only 5.4% in the Bahá’í fasting group
A liquid that marks the inflammation of the gums, called Ulou -go, only increased in the control group and remained the same in both fasting groups.
After 19 days, both fasting groups had lower body weight and improved blood sugar levels. The fasting group of Bahai also showed lower blood pressure and C-propagation protein, an indicator of overall inflammation of the body.
Why does this matter?
Gum inflammation does not only affect your mouth. Studies have shown links between periodontitis (gum disease) and chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Treatment of periodontitis can improve blood sugar levels for example and improved systematic parameters can directly affect the gum. This study argues the assumption that the treatment of periodontitis should include lifestyle factors such as diet.
In addition, the GCF, the fluid that grows during the gum disease, not only shows that there is inflammation, but also supplies bacteria that cause further damage from the gums. Maintaining GCF levels can help slow down or prevent the disease.
“Fasting seemed to protect the gums from inflammation, even when participants did not brush part of their mouths,” said Dr. Pappe. “This suggests that fasting could be useful as part of a healthy lifestyle to support gum health.”
“This study opens an exciting way of research on how eating habits, such as intermittent fasting, can support gum health,” said Professor Lior Shapira, Europerio11 Scientific chair. “The findings are encouraging and suggest a possible role in fasting in the formation of inflammation, not only in the mouth, but this was a short -term study of healthy people and the Bahai participants have not been accidentally entrusted due to the nature of religious fasting.
“This study shows how closely oral health and overall health are closely,” Pappe said. “Looking at diet, inflammation and mouth together, we can find new ways to protect our health. Intermittent fasting is not a magical solution, but it could be easy to apply the addition to daily care.”
“The reductions we noticed in inflammation -related indicators and gum parameters suggest that fasting could eventually become part of nutritional guidance for patients who are interested in supporting their oral health through lifestyle options,” Pappe concluded.
