Gargling improves diabetes mellitus, a lifestyle-related disease. A research group led by Specially Appointed Lecturer (Full Time) Saaya Matayoshi, Visiting Academic Staff Naoto Itoh, and Professor Kazuhiko Nakano of Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry demonstrated that gargling with mouthwash containing chlorhexidine decreases the number of highly virulent periodontopathic bacterial species that exist in the oral cavity and improves glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study was published in Scientific Reports.
Credit: Saaya Matayoshi
Periodontitis is a disease that cause inflammation of the gums. In recent years, periodontitis has been found to negatively impact diabetes mellitus. Since periodontitis is caused by periodontopathic bacteria, treatment at a dental clinic and oral care at home including toothbrushing and gargling are known to reduce the number of periodontopathic bacteria and prevent periodontitis.
Previous studies reported that professional dental care improves both periodontitis and glycemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus. However, the effects of gargling with mouthwash containing chlorhexidine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were unknown.
In this study, 173 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who visited a diabetes clinic in Osaka were instructed to gargle with tap water for 6 months and then gargle with mouthwash containing chlorhexidine for another 6 months. Changes in the numbers of periodontopathic bacteria and their blood glucose levels were then evaluated. Gargling with mouthwash containing chlorhexidine decreased the number of highly virulent periodontopathic bacterial species in the oral cavity and improved the glycemic control of relatively young patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Gargling with mouthwash can be easily adopted as a daily habit as it is a type of oral care that can be readily performed at home. In addition to receiving professional care at a dental clinic, actively adopting gargling with mouthwash containing chlorhexidine as a daily oral care activity is expected to assist type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in improving periodontitis and the associated elevated blood glucose levels.
According to Nakano, "An association between periodontitis and diabetes mellitus has been reported in recent years. Our study demonstrated the possibility of improving type 2 diabetes mellitus by reducing the number of harmful periodontopathic bacteria via gargling with mouthwash containing chlorhexidine. In addition to self-care at home, receiving professional dental care may synergistically improve diabetes mellitus."
Journal Information
Publication: Scientific Reports
Title: Effects of mouthwash on periodontal pathogens and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53213-x
This article has been translated by JST with permission from The Science News Ltd. (https://sci-news.co.jp/). Unauthorized reproduction of the article and photographs is prohibited.