Study finds omega-3 and low-dose aspirin match antibiotics in severe gum disease treatment

A study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that combining omega-3 fatty acids with low-dose aspirin produced results comparable to antibiotics in treating severe chronic gum disease, also known as periodontitis. The research involved 109 patients diagnosed with severe periodontitis, all of whom first received standard dental cleaning before being split into four treatment groups: antibiotics alone, omega-3 with low-dose aspirin, both treatments combined, and a placebo. After a one-year follow-up, 58 percent of patients in the antibiotic group and 57.7 percent of those receiving omega-3 with aspirin reached the clinical improvement target. The placebo group fared significantly worse, with only 23.1 percent reaching the same endpoint. Combining antibiotics with omega-3 offered no additional benefit over either treatment on its own. The researchers said the omega-3 and aspirin combination could offer a promising alternative for patients unable to take antibiotics and may help reduce antibiotic resistance. Separately, scientists at the University of São Paulo in Brazil have previously reported that curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, can enhance the effectiveness of periodontitis treatment.