Potential Advantage to Avoid Dental Visits
In a groundbreaking development for dental health, a recent study has found that a combination of regular exercise and omega-3 supplementation can significantly reduce the severity of apical periodontitis, a chronic tooth root infection that can lead to bone destruction and tooth loss.
Apical periodontitis, characterised by inflammation at the tip of the tooth root, is a serious dental condition that can cause pain, pus formation, and swelling of the face in specific situations. The condition, if left untreated, can evolve and lead to tooth mobility and eventual loss.
The synergistic effect of exercise and omega-3 is thought to result from their combined anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties. Exercise is known to modulate systemic inflammation and improve immune function, while omega-3 fatty acids have potent anti-inflammatory effects, including the resolution of chronic inflammation associated with infections.
The combination has been shown to limit bacterial progression, reduce bone tissue loss, and stimulate the activity of fibroblasts, the cells that create and maintain tissue. This could potentially prevent downstream systemic effects such as accelerated atherosclerosis mediated by gut microbiota alterations.
Previous research has indicated that omega-3 fatty acids may protect against the health conditions linked to poor gums and teeth, such as kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson's disease, depression, and more. Consuming at least two servings of omega-3-rich fish weekly, or a high-quality fish or krill oil supplement, can contribute to dental health.
Omega-3-rich fish such as mackerel, salmon, herring, oysters, and sardines are beneficial for oral health. Alternatively, a high-quality fish or krill oil supplement can provide the necessary omega-3 fatty acids for dental health.
The study, conducted on rats with apical periodontitis, reported that regular physical exercise alongside omega-3 intake markedly decreased the intensity of chronic apical periodontitis lesions. This combination further regulates the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, a key factor in the progression of the condition.
A root canal, a procedure used to save a damaged or infected tooth, may still be necessary in some cases. However, by reducing the severity of apical periodontitis, exercise and omega-3 supplementation could potentially help prevent the need for such procedures.
In summary, evidence from recent research points to the protective role of combining exercise with omega-3 supplementation in reducing the severity and systemic impact of tooth root infections like apical periodontitis. This supports their use as complementary strategies in managing chronic dental infections.
Science has demonstrated the potential of incorporating fitness-and-exercise and a health-and-wellness routine that includes omega-3 supplementation to alleviate inflammation associated with apical periodontitis, a dental condition causing bone destruction and tooth loss. Furthermore, nutrition, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, has been credited with aiding in the prevention of health-related complications linked to poor gums and teeth, including inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
