Treating gingival infections with an antibiotic decreases two markers of inflammation throughout the body, said researchers from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. This finding further supports the connection between oral health and general health.
In a presentation at the International Association for Dental Research’s 80th General Session and Exhibition in March, researchers reported that applying antibiotic gel in spaces where gingivae were inflamed and pulling away from the teeth reduced the amount of C-reactive protein and fibrinogen in the bloodstream, while killing oral bacteria. C-reactive protein and fibrinogen are markers for inflammatory activity associated with the development of atherosclerosis and other chronic diseases.
Researchers randomized 100 adults with chronic periodontal disease to four treatment groups. In two groups, subjects received standard periodontal treatment and an antibiotic-infused gel. Subjects in the other two groups received standard periodontal treatment without the antibiotic gel. Treatment was administered at the start of the study and repeated at three months. Subjects’ blood samples were collected at the start of the study and at six weeks, three months and six months.
Results showed that subjects in the groups treated with antibiotic gel had significant reductions in C-reactive protein fibrinogen at three months, compared with baseline. The effect of antibiotic treatment on reducing levels of C-reactive protein remained for six months.
"This is an important finding because we have come to understand that heart disease has a substantial inflammatory component," said Dr. Sara Grossi, UB clinical professor of oral biology, who oversaw the research.
"Several studies conducted here and elsewhere have found oral bacteria from gum infections in arterial plaque. Now we have shown that therapy for periodontal disease lessens the inflammatory burden throughout the body," she continued.
