Omega-3 Supplements May Help Calm Gum Inflammation, New Study Finds

Researchers have found new evidence that omega-3 fatty acids — the same nutrients found in fish oil and certain plant-based foods — may play a meaningful role in reducing inflammation in the gums and throughout the body. The findings appeared in the August 2026 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association and were led by Dr. Bushra Ahmad, an assistant professor of periodontics at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston.

The study was a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial that originally examined heart health. In that trial, 240 people undergoing statin therapy for stable coronary artery disease were divided into two groups: one group received the omega-3 compounds EPA and DHA for 30 months, and the other received no supplements. When researchers looked at oral health data from those same participants, they found that the omega-3 group showed meaningfully lower levels of an inflammatory marker measured in the gum fluid, as well as a lower neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio — a blood marker tied to systemic inflammation and cardiovascular risk.

One interesting detail: the anti-inflammatory effect in the mouth appeared most pronounced on the left side. The researchers suggested this may be related to handedness — right-handed people tend to brush more effectively on the left side of their mouth — and used the observation to highlight the value of powered toothbrushes in reducing gum inflammation across the board.

The study adds to a growing body of research exploring how nutrition and systemic health intersect with oral care. While the results are promising, they come from a secondary analysis rather than a trial designed specifically around gum disease, so dental researchers note that larger, targeted studies are still needed. For patients, the findings offer another reason to discuss both diet and gum health with their dental provider.