Study Indicates Plant-Based Diet May Help Reduce Gingivitis

Patients who switched to a plant-based, whole food diet experienced a reduction in gingivitis, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology. Reporting in the paper, “The Influence of an Anti-Inflammatory Diet on Gingivitis. A Randomized Controlled Trial,” the authors note their study methodology included asking participants to stop flossing. Of the 30 subjects with gingivitis who were randomized into experimental and control groups, those in the experimental group who switched to a plant-based diet for four weeks experienced a significant reduction in gingival bleeding. The control group did not change their diet. The experimental group’s diet was low in processed carbohydrates and animal proteins, and rich in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins C and D, antioxidants, and plant nitrates. Although additional research is needed to validate the finding, these results may lead to new dietary interventions to improve gingival health and manage periodontal diseases.