Gargle away 'bad' bacteria in Type 2 Diabetes

In a study published this month in Scientific  Reports, the researchers reported that when people with Type 2 Diabetes gargled with an antiseptic mouthwash, the numbers of periodontitis-related bacteria decreased. Those with reduced bacteria also achieved much better control of their blood glucose.

Researchers took monthly or bimonthly saliva and blood samples from 173 patients over an entire year. With the saliva, the researchers noted the presence or absence of the three bacterial species, and with the blood samples, they measured HbA1c levels as a marker of blood glucose control. For the first6 months of the study, the patients gargled with water, whereas for the second 6 months they gargled with the antiseptic mouthwash. In this way, the research team could see whether gargling itself was effective for reducing bacteria, or whether mouthwash was more effective.

The study showed that gargling with water had no effects on bacterial species or HbA1c levels but there was an overall reduction in bacterial species when the patients switched to mouthwash if they were gargling at least twice a day. Younger patients had greater reductions in bacterial species and significantly better blood glucose control than older patients with the mouthwash compared with water.

Scientific Reports, 2024