A recent study suggests that gargling with an antiseptic mouthwash could be beneficial for Type 2 diabetes patients by reducing the number of periodontitis-related bacteria.
Researchers from Osaka University in Japan conducted the study, which was published in the journal Scientific Reports. They found evidence indicating that ongoing inflammation in the mouth, such as that caused by gum disease, may be linked to serious conditions like Alzheimer’s Disease and Type 2 diabetes.
Lead author Saaya Matayoshi explained, “There are three highly virulent bacterial species linked to periodontitis, or diseases of the tissues surrounding the teeth.” These species include Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia.
To investigate the effectiveness of gargling with an antiseptic mouthwash, the researchers had participants gargle with water for six months followed by an antiseptic mouthwash containing chlorhexidine gluconate for the next six months.
The results showed that gargling with water had no effect on bacterial species or HbA1c levels, a measure of blood sugar control in diabetes patients. However, switching to the antiseptic mouthwash led to an overall reduction in bacterial species, especially when participants gargled at least twice a day.
While there were no significant changes in HbA1c levels overall, individual responses varied. Younger patients experienced greater reductions in bacterial species and better blood sugar control when using the mouthwash compared to water.
The findings suggest that simple oral hygiene practices like gargling with an antiseptic mouthwash could have important implications for overall health. Improved oral health may benefit individuals with periodontitis-linked diseases such as diabetes, dementia, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory tract infections.
