Nutrition and Periodontal Health

Periodontal health depends on a balance between host immune responses, resident microbiota and nutritional status. The periodontium comprises the gingiva, periodontal ligament, cementum and alveolar bone, forming a dynamic interface between oral cavity and systemic circulation. Nutrients modulate inflammatory pathways, support connective tissue turnover and influence the composition of the oral microbiome. Diets rich in antioxidants, polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamins contribute to resolution of inflammation and promote wound healing, while high-sugar, high-saturated-fat Western-style diets are associated with microbial dysbiosis and heightened periodontal destruction. Emerging research highlights the role of specific micronutrients, such as vitamins C and E, and dietary patterns like the Mediterranean diet in reducing pocket probing depths and serum markers of bone resorption. Nutritional interventions, both through whole foods and supplements, are increasingly recognised as adjuncts to non-surgical periodontal therapy, with potential to improve clinical attachment levels and reduce bleeding on probing. This integrative perspective underscores the global relevance of dietary counselling in the prevention and management of periodontitis and its systemic sequelae.

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Nutrition and Periodontal Health publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in nutrition and periodontal health across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Periodontitis: A chronic inflammatory disease destroying the supporting structures of the teeth.

Probing pocket depth (PPD): Measurement of the depth of the gingival sulcus using a periodontal probe.

Clinical attachment level (CAL): Distance from a fixed anatomical point on the tooth to the base of the periodontal pocket, indicating tissue support.

Oral microbiome: The ecological community of microorganisms residing in the oral cavity.

Antioxidants: Molecules that inhibit oxidation and neutralise reactive oxygen species.

Omega-3 fatty acids: Polyunsaturated fatty acids with anti-inflammatory properties found in fish oils and certain plant sources.

Polyphenols: Plant-derived compounds with antioxidant activity that can modulate microbial communities.

References

1. Mediterranean diet: a potential player in the link between oral microbiome and oral diseases. Journal of Oral Microbiology (2024).
2. Associations between single and multiple dietary vitamins and the risk of periodontitis: results from NHANES 2009–2014. Frontiers in Nutrition (2024).
3. Dietary and Nutraceutical Interventions as an Adjunct to Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy—A Systematic Review. Nutrients (2023).