According to a new study, significant tooth loss was associated with higher systemic inflammation. Flossing, an important oral hygiene behaviour, may contribute to reducing this inflammation. The study findings highlight the importance of improving oral health and oral hygiene practice to mitigate inflammation. Further an association exists between inflammation and oral health and diabetes.
The study has been published in the International Dental Journal.

The aim of this research was to assess the association between inflammation and oral health and diabetes, as well as the mediating role of oral hygiene practice in this association.
Data were from the 2009–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The analytical sample consisted of 2,191 respondents aged 50 and older. Poor oral health was clinically defined by significant tooth loss (STL) and periodontal disease (PD). Diabetes mellitus (DM) was determined by glycemic levels. The outcome variable was serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level, dichotomised as ≥1 mg/dL (elevated CRP) vs <1 mg/dL (not elevated CRP). Two path models, one using significant tooth loss and Diabetes mellitus as the independent variable, the other using periodontal disease and Diabetes mellitus as the independent variable, were estimated to assess the direct effects of having poor oral health and Diabetes mellitus on elevated C-reactive protein and the mediating effects of dental flossing.
Results:
In path model 1, individuals having both significant tooth loss and Diabetes mellitus or having significant tooth loss alone were more likely to have elevated C-reactive protein than those with neither significant tooth loss nor Diabetes mellitus; dental flossing was associated with lower risk of elevated C-reactive protein.
In path model 2, no significant association was found between having both PD and Diabetes mellitus and elevated C-reactive protein; dental flossing was associated with lower risk of elevated C-reactive protein.
Findings from this study highlight the importance of improving oral health and oral hygiene practice to mitigate inflammation. Further research is needed to assess the longer-term effects of reducing inflammation.
Reference:
Huabin Luo, Bei Wu, Angela R. Kamer, Samrachana Adhikari, Frank Sloan, Brenda L. Plassman, Chenxin Tan, Xiang Qi, Mark D. Schwartz, Oral Health, Diabetes, and Inflammation: Effects of Oral Hygiene Behaviour, International Dental Journal,Volume 72, Issue 4, 2022, Pages 484-490, ISSN 0020-6539, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.identj.2021.10.001.