For a long time, I thought that my oral and physical health were totally unrelated… that what happened in my dentist’s chair had nothing to do with how I felt in general.

Then I started writing about health and discovered that I couldn’t have been more mistaken if I’d tried.

It’s a confirmed fact that your mouth is the gateway to either health or disease in your body. Diabetes, kidney disease, and heart disease have all been linked to poor oral health.

So, I didn’t find it surprising at all that the same molecule that can help protect against strokes can also lower the risk of needing a painful root canal procedure.

Or that a nutrient we often don’t get enough of can help…

Resolvins resolve dental problems

A group of molecules known as resolvins regulate excessive inflammation caused by infection and disease.

Previous research into the effects of omega-3s on stroke risk identified resolvins as the body’s “stop signals.”

That study found that resolvins are formed from omega-3s and bind to a receptor called GPR32. This activated the receptor’s ability to counteract inflammation in blood vessels, essentially switching off inflammation and stimulating tissue repair and healing.  

This process is known as resolution of inflammation. It plays a crucial role in diseases like atherosclerosis, where GPR32 has become dysregulated and cannot control inflammation.

Come to find out, resolvins may also be the future of dental care…

Pulpitis is an inflammation of the dental pulp that can result from cavities, cracks or trauma to a tooth. It can escalate into a serious health issue if left untreated and usually requires a root canal procedure.

A study published in the Journal of Dental Research found that when Resolvin E1 (RvE1) was applied directly to infected dental pulp, the pulp was regenerated to a significant degree.

And even when the pulp was too severely infected to be regenerated, resolvins still slowed the rate of infection and reduced inflammation.

According to the researchers, “In infected pulps exposed to the oral environment for 24 hours, RvE1 suppressed inflammatory infiltration, reduced bacterial invasion in root canals, and prevented the development of apical periodontitis, while its proregenerative impact was limited.”

With more research, this promises to eliminate the need for painful root canals. Wouldn’t that be great?

Harnessing the power of resolvins

Now, your dentist may not be able to offer a new treatment featuring resolvins quite yet. But the next best thing — besides taking good care of your teeth — may be ensuring you take in plenty of omega-3s.

In addition to the stroke study that ties omega-3s to resolvins, another one tied the essential fatty acids to fighting off periodontitis which can lead to gum disease.

Getting your omega-3s is easy. Just look for a high-quality fish or krill oil supplement, or if you’re a fan of fish, eat at least 2 servings a week.

Here are a few that are rich in omega-3s:

• Mackerel
• Salmon
• Herring
• Oysters
• Sardines

Sources:

Dental care breakthrough could make root canals obsolete — MSN

RvE1 Promotes Axin2+ Cell Regeneration and Reduces Bacterial Invasion — Sage Journals