Hydrogen Water Helps Heal Gum Disease by Fighting Cell Damage
Assessment of the effects of hydrogen water on human gingival fibroblast cell culture in patients with chronic periodontitis
- Evidence type
- Laboratory study (cells or tissue)
- Authors
- Akanksha Bhatt, Aarati Nayak, Kishore Bhat, Chetana Bogar, Ranganath Nayak, Sachita Naik
- Journal
- Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology
- Year
- 2023
- DOI
- 10.4103/jisp.jisp_546_21
- Study Type
- Cell Culture
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- India
- Health Condition
- Chronic Periodontitis
- Body System
- Oral
This research was done on cells or tissue in a lab, not in people or animals.
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen water may help improve gum health in people with gum disease by promoting healing and reducing harmful oxidation.
Key Finding
Hydrogen water was nontoxic to gum cells and increased their survival and movement ability, with particularly strong antioxidative effects in cells from patients with chronic gum disease.
Summary
Researchers grew gum cells (fibroblasts) from both healthy people and patients with gum disease in the laboratory, then treated some cells with hydrogen water. Hydrogen water did not harm the cells and actually improved their ability to survive, move, and reduce harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species that accumulate during gum disease.
Practical Takeaway
This laboratory study suggests hydrogen water may help reduce oxidative stress in gum tissue, but it was conducted only in cell cultures, not in living people. More research in human subjects would be needed to determine whether hydrogen water could actually benefit gum health in patients with periodontitis.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background: Activated inflammatory cells produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) to eliminate pathogens. Under normal conditions, the pathogens are taken care of, and tissues are repaired. However, in periodontal disease, persistent inflammation causes increased ROS release and impaired healing…