Association Between Dietary Patterns and Subgingival Microbiota: Results From the Oral Infections, Glucose Intolerance, and Insulin Resistance Study (ORIGINS)
(Journal of Clinical Periodontology; doi: 10.1111/jcpe.14067)
Rebecca L Molinsky, Abigail J Johnson, Lisa Marotz, Sumith Roy, Bruno Bohn, Charlene E Goh, Ching-Yuan Chen, Bruce Paster, Rob Knight, Jeanine Genkinger, Panos N Papapanou, David R Jacobs, Ryan T Demmer
Food may influence the bacteria that live in the mouth. This study explored whether overall dietary patterns were associated with the bacterial communities found beneath the gumline.
Researchers studied 651 adults aged 20–55 who did not have diabetes. Diet questionnaires were scored using two established systems that consider the overall balance of foods, rather than one nutrient. Plaque samples were analysed to identify bacterial groups.
Higher diet-quality scores were associated with some differences in bacterial communities.
One scoring system showed lower ratios of disease-associated to health-associated bacteria across several comparisons.
Overall bacterial variety was also lower with higher diet-quality scores.
This illustrates why more bacterial diversity is not always better: the location and kinds of bacteria matter.
The results support further work on diet and gum health, but they do not prove that a particular diet treats periodontitis.
The participants did not have diabetes, so the findings cannot be directly applied to diabetes care.
A questionnaire score is a research tool rather than a personal prescription.
Dietary changes should be considered alongside individual nutritional needs and dental findings, rather than aiming simply to increase or decrease the number of bacterial types in the mouth.
This study provides a snapshot rather than showing what happened first.
People in the comparison groups may differ in ways the researchers could not fully measure, such as other health conditions, medicines or access to care. Statistical adjustment helps, but cannot remove every difference.
A relationship seen across a group is also not a forecast for one person.
The findings are best viewed as a reason for further research, not proof that changing one measurement will prevent or treat another condition.
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Periodontitis is the 6th most prevalent condition globally
Periodontitis and diabetes are bidirectionally linked
Diabetic complications are increased if you have both diseases
Successful periodontal treatment can improve blood glucose control
Periodontitis is the 6th most prevalent condition globally
Periodontitis and diabetes are bidirectionally linked
Diabetic complications are increased if you have both diseases
Successful periodontal treatment can improve blood glucose control
