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Use of omega-3 fatty acid dietary supplements can help improve gum health

Wednesday, October 18, 2023 | Posted in GEHA Connection Dental Network News

Use of omega-3 fatty acid dietary supplements can help improve gum health when combined with scaling and root planing (SRP). A 2022 study in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology found that the using omega-3 fatty acids in combination with SRP produced better results than SRP by itself.

The anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3’s act as an extra protective layer against periodontal disease. This effect, when combined with low-dose aspirin (81 mg), may provide a sustainable, low-cost intervention and potential non-surgical periodontal therapy.

Sources:

Van Ravensteijn MM, Timmerman MF, Brouwer EAG, Slot DE. The effect of omega-3 fatty acids on active periodontal therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Periodontol. 2022;49(10):1024-1037. doi:10.1111/jcpe.13680 The effect of omega-3 fatty acids on active periodontal therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis - PMC (nih.gov)

El-Sharkawy, H., Aboelsaad, N., Eliwa, M., Darweesh, M., Alshahat, M., Kantarci, A., Hasturk, H. and Van Dyke, T.E. (2010), Adjunctive Treatment of Chronic Periodontitis With Daily Dietary Supplementation With Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Low-Dose Aspirin. Journal of Periodontology, 81: 1635-1643. https://doi.org/10.1902/jop.2010.090628