0
0
A recent study conducted by researchers from Osaka University in Japan suggests that gargling with an antiseptic mouthwash could potentially help Type 2 diabetes patients by reducing the numbers of periodontitis-related bacteria.
The research, published in the journal Scientific Reports, highlights the growing evidence linking ongoing inflammation in the mouth, such as gum disease, with serious health conditions like Alzheimer’s Disease and Type 2 diabetes.
Lead author Saaya Matayoshi explained, “There are three highly virulent bacterial species that are linked to periodontitis, or diseases of the tissues surrounding the teeth.” These bacteria include Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia.
The study aimed to investigate whether gargling with an antiseptic mouthwash containing chlorhexidine gluconate could reduce these bacteria in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Participants first gargled with water for six months, followed by the antiseptic mouthwash for the subsequent six months.
Results showed that while gargling with water had no effect on bacterial species or HbA1c levels (a marker of blood sugar control), there was an overall reduction in bacterial species when participants switched to the antiseptic mouthwash, provided they gargled at least twice a day.
Kazuhiko Nakano, another researcher involved in the study, noted, “While the results showed no overall changes in HbA1c levels, there appeared to be large variations in individual responses.” Younger patients, in particular, showed greater reductions in bacterial species and significantly better blood sugar control with the mouthwash compared to water.
The study suggests that simple oral hygiene practices, such as using antiseptic mouthwash, could potentially have important implications for improving overall health, especially for individuals with conditions linked to periodontitis, such as diabetes, dementia, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory tract infections.
The findings underscore the importance of maintaining good oral health and exploring easy-to-use treatments that may contribute to better overall health outcomes for individuals with chronic conditions like Type 2 diabetes.
