Higher intakes of flavonoids are associated with lower salivary IL-1β and maintenance of periodontal health 3-4 years after scaling and root planing.

Aims: Higher intakes of fruits and vegetables, and vitamin C are associated with improved periodontal healing post-scaling and root planing (SRP). This study determined if this association was sustained at 3-4 years post-SRP, and if flavonoid intake is associated with periodontal health. Whether reduced probing depth (PD) is sustained and whether PD is correlated with salivary IL-1β, IL-6 and CRP at 3-4 years post-SRP were also studied.

Materials And Methods: Clinical periodontal outcomes, dietary intakes and salivary markers of inflammation were measured in patients (n = 43, 23 females, 37-93 years) who had undergone SRP 3-4 years earlier and had been part of a periodontal maintenance programme.

Results: Flavonoid intake was inversely associated with PD (p = .042) and salivary IL-1β concentration (p = .015) after adjustment for multiple confounders. When changes in PD were considered, the association of flavonoid intake with reduced PD became borderline significant (p = .051) but persisted for IL-1β (p = .018). PD at 3-4 years and 2-4 months post-SRP was similar. There was a positive correlation between PD and salivary IL-1β (p = .005) but not with salivary CRP and IL-6.

Conclusion: Higher flavonoid intake is associated with lower IL-1β. Also, regular supportive periodontal therapy maintained the improved PD at 3-4 years post-SRP regardless of smoking status.