Exercise and Omega-3s Pose a Powerful Threat Against Apical Periodontitis
New research shows that moderate physical exercise, especially when combined with omega-3 supplementation, can reduce inflammation, bone loss, and bacterial spread in apical periodontitis. The findings highlight a promising preventive and therapeutic strategy that goes beyond traditional dental treatments.
A new animal study suggests that lifestyle factors, such as regular exercise and omega-3 intake, could significantly influence the course of apical periodontitis (AP). Published in Scientific Reports, the study found that moderate physical activity and omega-3 supplementation each play a role in reducing inflammation, strengthening host defenses, and promoting tissue repair.
The controlled study of rats looked at how swimming exercise, alone or combined with omega-3 fatty acids, affected AP progression. The results revealed that physical exercise alone reduced tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels, curtailed bacterial spread within root canals, and minimized alveolar bone loss. When paired with omega-3 supplementation, exercise had an even stronger impact, further lowering interleukin-17 levels, stimulating collagen formation, and reducing osteoclastic activity associated with bone resorption.
While these findings are based on animal models, they underscore the importance of whole-body health in influencing oral disease outcomes and open new avenues for adjunctive management of AP. For patients, maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise and an anti-inflammatory diet rich in omega-3s may enhance both systemic and oral health outcomes. Further clinical research is needed to determine whether similar effects occur in humans, particularly regarding optimal dosing, exercise intensity, and long-term outcomes. Click here to read more.
