Common supplements rival antibiotics for severe gum disease
A yearlong study involving 109 patients found that a combination of omega-3 supplements and low-dose aspirin was as effective as antibiotics in treating severe periodontitis. The findings suggest a potential way to reduce antibiotic reliance in dental care.
Why it matters
Reducing unnecessary antibiotic use is crucial for combating global bacterial resistance, making this a significant finding for public health and dentistry.
A combination of omega-3 and low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) performed about as well as antibiotics in a yearlong study of people with severe periodontitis, raising the possibility of an alternative treatment for some patients.
The research was conducted by scientists affiliated with Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital, Guarulhos University (UNG), the University of Taubat (UNITAU), and the Ribeir o Preto School of Dentistry at USP (FORP-USP) in Brazil, along with Harvard University in the United States. The findings were published in the Journal of Periodontology .
Researchers say the results could eventually help reduce antibiotic use in selected patients, an important consideration as bacterial resistance becomes an increasingly serious global health problem.
Severe Periodontitis Can Damage Bone and Teeth
Supported by FAPESP (projects 20/05874-2 and 20/05875-9), the clinical study included 109 people with advanced periodontitis who were followed for one year.
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