Research has shown that using a common diabetes medication can help not only reduce the incidence of diabetes and obesity, but also help manage periodontal disease.
Factors such as glucose metabolism, nutrition, oxidative stress and aging contribute to the progression of periodontal disease. However, current periodontal treatments do not directly target the body's metabolic inflammatory response, which is critical to the treatment of periodontal disease. The drug metformin, which is widely used in the treatment of diabetes, has never been used in the treatment of periodontitis. A new study reports that metformin helps control inflammation and glucose levels in the mouth and body and may be used as a preventative for both oral and systemic diseases.
Research shows that approximately half of the adult population over 30 years of age suffers from some form of periodontal disease, and this figure increases to 70% in adults over 65 years of age. This disease is closely associated with systemic diseases such as diabetes and obesity, and some studies have shown that controlling patients' glucose metabolism may help increase life expectancy and reduce the development of periodontal disease. Likewise, patients successfully treated for periodontal disease have also been demonstrated to improve their glucose metabolism and cardiovascular health.
In the study, the researchers examined the effects of metformin, currently used as a first-line treatment for glycemic control, as a pharmaceutical modulator of glucose metabolism. The drug was chosen because of its cost-effectiveness, safety and reusability, and to increase the life expectancy of patients.
The study showed that metformin resulted in significant prevention of bone loss in induced periodontal disease and age-related bone loss in vivo in living mice. The researchers then tested metformin in patients with periodontal disease without diabetes, the first clinical trial of its kind. To test the drug's effectiveness, half of the participants received 850 mg of placebo and the other half were given 850 mg of metformin. All participants received non-surgical full-mouth treatment. The researchers examined patients at baseline, three days and a week later. Periodontal reassessment was performed six and twelve weeks after non-surgical full-mouth therapy.
The study showed improved clinical outcomes in treating periodontal disease and controlling glucose levels and inflammation in both the mouth and body, even in the presence of high levels of bacteria. In light of the findings, the researchers believe that using metformin to prevent periodontal disease may also help control weight gain and glucose levels.
“Our patients often don't have any treatment for gum disease other than brushing their teeth, but for the first time, we have a potential treatment that can help not only with gum disease, but also improve their overall health.” “Lead author Dr. Vitor Neves, an academic clinical lecturer in periodontics at King's College London, said in a press release. “Metformin is inexpensive and available throughout the world, allowing the drug to be used as a preventive treatment for oral and systemic diseases that are considered on a global scale.” He explained that this would help many age in a healthier way.