While the medicine Metformin is mainly used in the treatment of Diabetes, recent research has looked at its impact on Periodontitis. Periodontitis is a severe form of gum disease that impacts many people around the world. Treatment options are limited. But the use of metformin appeared to have a positive impact on periodontitis, with the suggestion that it could become a treatment option in the future.
Periodontitis is a debilitating condition to live with, and can also be exacerbated by numerous conditions, oxidative stress and bacterial changes. Given how easily periodontitis can be exacerbated, treating the condition early is crucial.
There are some treatment options currently. However, these all have limited effectiveness. But now, new research has looked into how the medication Metformin interacts with the numerous areas that can worsen periodontitis [1].
Background
This research was based on the condition Periodontitis, which is a severe form of gum disease. Gum disease is incredibly common, with over half of American adults having the condition [2].
Treatment for gum disease is limited, with scaling and root planing the most common treatments. These involve a dental professional using a special dental instrument to remove the build up of tartar below the gums and removing plaque from tooth surfaces.
The research also involved Metformin – which is a medicine used to predominantly treat Type 2 Diabetes [3]. Metformin works by lowing blood sugar levels and makes the body respond better to insulin.
The Research
The research was carried out by a team of researchers from Chongqing Medical University in China. Their findings were published in the Genes & Diseases journal [1].
The research team sought to find out how metformin would interact with certain cells. There was an interest in how periodontitis would progress when the metformin was introduced [1].
To find out, the research team induced a mouse with periodontitis. Then, metformin was introduced. Subsequently, the research team reviewed the progress of the condition over a period of time [1].
Interestingly, it was found that metformin had a positive impact in numerous areas. Overall, the progress of the rodent’s periodontitis stalled due to the metformin [1].
One benefit that the researchers found was that the metformin helped to reduce the breakdown of bones – known as alveolar bone resorption [1]. This extends to the periodontal tissues – making them more resilient against outside interferences like gum disease.
Another benefit included the metformin being capable of inhibiting oxidative stress [1]. This refers to an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants in the body – which causes damage to the organs. Specifically, metformin was able to lessen oxidative stress levels in the periodontal tissues. Therefore, this was a very positive result.
The anti-inflammatory effects of metformin were also crucial towards lessening the problems from periodontitis [1]. With inflammation being a key element of periodontitis, this particular finding didn’t come as a surprise to the researchers.
What this means
The findings were very positive, with the researchers finding that metformin had a number of benefits in terms of treating periodontitis. The rodent responded positively, with the belief that humans would respond in the same way.
However, when commenting, the research team said that while their study presented “compelling evidence on the protective role of metformin in periodontitis, further research is needed” [4]. This is because this is a rather small study – and so it is difficult to make comprehensive conclusions.
But the researchers commented that they were “optimistic” that their findings will “pave the way for more comprehensive studies” on the relationship between metformin and the bigger picture of periodontitis [4]. Furthermore, they hope that this will ultimately lead “to more effective treatment options” [4].
Given that many people suffer from diabetes and periodontitis, there is hope that in the future, metformin could help patients with both conditions. Therefore, this could improve treatment outcomes for both conditions.
While further research is certainly needed before any conclusions can be made, the initial signs are positive. Metformin definitely appears to have a positive impact, with the chance that it could become a key drug in the treatment of periodontitis in the future.
Thinking points…
1) Gum disease is a very common condition to have. As discussed in the research above, metformin could potentially be used in the future in the treatment of gum disease. However, in the present day, treatment options do exist – with root planing and scaling two common options. If you do have gum disease, we recommend talking to your dentist about your treatment options at your next appointment!
2) Earlier in the article, it was mentioned how important it is for gum disease to be treated early on. The easiest way for gum disease to be detected is through dental check-ups. Therefore, remember to attend a dental clinic at least twice per year. If a dentist does spot signs of gum disease, then they can provide information to help you halt its development. We recommend booking a check-up right away!
What we offer at Savanna Dental
Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a wide range of dental treatment options and advice aimed at improving their oral health.
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.
Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Many people find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
In addition, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.
We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.
References
[1] Sun, B., Ying, S., Ma, Q., Li, H., Li, J., & Song, J. (2023). Metformin ameliorates HMGB1-mediated oxidative stress through mTOR pathway in experimental periodontitis. Genes & Diseases. 10 (2): p542-553. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gendis.2021.06.003.
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Periodontal Disease. Available: https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/conditions/periodontal-disease.html. Last accessed: 16th August 2023.
[3] NHS. (2022). About metformin. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/metformin/about-metformin/. Last accessed: 16th August 2023.
[4] Chongqing Medical University. (2023). New study explores the role of metformin in ameliorating oxidative stress in periodontitis. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-08-explores-role-metformin-ameliorating-oxidative.html. Last accessed: 16th August 2023.
