Improved Healing after Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy Is Associated with Higher Protein Intake in Patients Who Are Non-Smokers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether a relationship between periodontal healing and protein intake exists in patients undergoing non-surgical treatment for periodontitis. Dietary protein intake was assessed using the 2005 Block food frequency questionnaire in patients with chronic generalized periodontitis undergoing scaling and root planing (n = 63 for non-smokers, n = 22 for smokers). Protein intake was correlated to post-treatment probing depth using multiple linear regression. Non-smoking patients who consumed ≥1 g protein/kg body weight/day had fewer sites with probing depth ≥ 4 mm after scaling and root planing compared to patients with intakes <1 g protein/kg body weight/day (11 ± 2 versus 16 ± 2, p = 0.05). This relationship was strengthened after controlling for baseline probing depth, hygienist and time between treatment and follow-up (10 ± 2 versus 16 ± 1, p = 0.018) and further strengthened after controlling for potential confounders including age, sex, body mass index, flossing frequency, and bleeding on probing (8 ± 2 versus 18 ± 2, p < 0.001). No associations were seen in patients who smoked. Consuming ≥1 g protein/kg body weight/day was associated with reductions in periodontal disease burden following scaling and root planing in patients who were non-smokers. Further studies are needed to differentiate between animal and plant proteins.

Protein Intake and Oral Health in Older Adults—A Narrative Review

“…Periodontitis is highly prevalent in older adults and its prevalence increases with age [ 7 , 8 ]. Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease characterised by the destruction of periodontal tissues and alveolar bone surrounding the teeth.…”

“…Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease characterised by the destruction of periodontal tissues and alveolar bone surrounding the teeth. Protein intake in excess of 1 g/kg/day is associated with a reduction of periodontitis [ 7 ], and dietary calcium, particularly from milk, may also be protective [ 153 ]. A study in a rat model of periodontitis found that higher intake of milk protein (1% versus 0.2%) was protective against alveolar bone loss in periodontitis [ 96 ], but to date this has not been explored in humans.…”

“…Periodontitis (gum disease) is highly prevalent in older adults. Around 42% of dentate adults over 30 years old have periodontitis, which increases to >60% in adults over 65 years [ 7 , 8 ]. Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease characterised by the destruction of connective tissues and alveolar bone surrounding the teeth, and is a major cause of tooth loss.…”

“…Protein is also crucial for preventing sarcopenia [ 40 ], maintaining normal immune function, and supporting wound healing. Higher protein intake is associated with improved periodontal healing [ 7 ]. The evidence about the impact of protein containing oral nutritional supplements (ONS) on the nutritional status of older adults is inconclusive.…”

The Emerging Field of Nutritional Dentistry

“…Dodington et al [ 22 ] determined whether a relationship between periodontal healing and protein intake existed in patients undergoing non-surgical treatment for periodontitis. Dietary protein intake was assessed using the 2005 Block food frequency questionnaire in patients with chronic generalized periodontitis undergoing scaling and root planing.…”