The Mediterranean diet is known to provide a number of benefits—from supporting heart health to preserving cognition—but new research suggests it may also protect against gum disease.
“Gum disease is often seen as purely a hygiene issue, but our findings suggest that what we eat can play a supporting role,” Luigi Nibali, PhD, senior author and a professor of Periodontology at King’s College London, told Health. “A balanced, plant-rich diet may help reduce inflammation and support healthier gums alongside regular oral care.”
For the study, published in the Journal of Periodontology, researchers looked at data from 200 hospital patients—including results from a full dental exam, blood samples, and a diet questionnaire—in the King’s College London Oral, Dental and Craniofacial Biobank.
People who most closely followed the Mediterranean diet had better gum health and lower levels of inflammation. Those who didn’t eat a Mediterranean diet showed signs of more severe gum disease and had worse gum health overall, as well as higher levels of inflammation—especially if they ate a lot of red meat.
This wasn’t the first study linking the Mediterranean diet to better gum health, but previous research hasn’t been conclusive.
Similarly, researchers pointed out that the new study only found an association—not causation—and that having data from more people would’ve strengthened the study’s findings.
Gum disease is prevalent in the U.S.—2 in 5 adults aged 30 and older have some form of the condition, known as periodontal disease.
The most common cause is poor brushing and flossing, which allows plaque to build up along the gumline. This creates inflammation in the gums as the body tries to combat the harmful bacteria—that’s where diet could play a role.
“The Mediterranean diet is rich in anti-inflammatory nutrients—like antioxidants, fiber, and healthy fats, which may help modulate the body’s immune response,” Nibali said. “On the other hand, diets high in processed foods and red meats tend to promote inflammation, which can aggravate gum tissue and contribute to disease progression.”
There’s not enough information to definitively say that going on a Mediterranean diet will prevent gum disease, but it is a tool people can use to reduce systemic inflammation, said Beatriz Bezerra, DDS, PhD, an associate clinical professor and the director of the predoctoral program in the Section of Periodontics at UCLA School of Dentistry.
“Regular dental visits, daily brushing and flossing, along with other healthy habits that include, but are not limited to, an anti-inflammatory diet, can aid in reducing the onset and the severity of gum disease,” she told Health.
It’s safe to give the Mediterranean diet a try to help support oral and overall health, if you’re interested.
However, the diet doesn’t replace other oral hygiene practices, like brushing, flossing, and regular teeth cleanings.
