Here are some research summaries on the effects of hydrogen-rich water on oral health:
Effect on Periodontitis
- Animal Studies: In a study by Meng Xiangjiao et al. from Qingdao University, 24 male SD rats (8 weeks old) were randomly divided into three groups: a negative control group (which only received intraperitoneal anesthesia), a positive control group (induced periodontitis), and an experimental group (induced periodontitis and drinking hydrogen-saturated water). The results showed that the experimental group had significantly lower tooth mobility, gingival index, and alveolar bone loss compared to the positive control group. There was also a reduction in pathological atrophy and erosion of the epithelial tissue, less inflammatory cell infiltration in the periodontal tissue, and fewer osteoclasts in the alveolar bone. This indicates that hydrogen-rich water effectively inhibits alveolar bone resorption and periodontal tissue inflammation, preventing and slowing the progression of experimental periodontitis in rats.
- Clinical Trials: Tetsuji Azuma and colleagues from Okayama University in Japan studied 13 Japanese patients aged 22-40 with untreated periodontitis. The patients were divided into a control group (6 patients) and an experimental group (7 patients). The experimental group drank hydrogen water 4-5 times a day for 8 weeks, while the control group drank non-hydrogenated water. The results showed that the hydrogen water group had better local periodontitis improvement at 2, 4, and 8 weeks compared to the control group. Additionally, at the 4th week, the experimental group exhibited significantly higher serum antioxidant levels, indicating that hydrogen water has a therapeutic effect on human periodontitis.
Effect on Peri-implantitis
Zhao Yiwei from Southern Medical University, in their study Preliminary Study on the Effect of Hydrogen-rich Water on Inflammatory Response in Peri-implantitis, found that the experimental group using hydrogen-rich water for irrigation had significantly fewer inflammatory cells than the control group. Hydrogen-rich water also inhibited the expression of IL-1, IL-6, and MMPs-8 around the implant, with fewer pathogenic bacteria compared to the control group. These results suggest that hydrogen-rich water can inhibit the progression of experimental peri-implantitis and can be used as an adjunct to mechanical treatment for peri-implant periodontal inflammation.
Effect on Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis
A study by Xu Changchun and colleagues at the 401st Hospital of the People’s Liberation Army on 110 nasopharyngeal cancer patients receiving radiation therapy found that the treatment group (55 patients) used hydrogen-rich water (300 ml per dose, hydrogen concentration >1.2 ppm) starting from the first day of radiation therapy. They also rinsed their mouths with hydrogen-rich water for 3-5 minutes after meals and before bed. The control group (55 patients) used an equal amount of saline. The results showed that the incidence and severity of radiation-induced oral mucositis and radiation-induced oral pain were significantly lower in the treatment group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). This suggests that hydrogen water can effectively reduce radiation-induced mucositis and oral pain in nasopharyngeal cancer patients, improving swallowing difficulties.
Effect on Oral Mucosal Cells
A study by the Hargalka Dental Science and Research Center in India treated gingival tissue samples from 26 subjects (13 periodontally healthy individuals and 13 chronic periodontitis patients). They cultured human gingival fibroblasts and observed that hydrogen-rich water had no toxicity on fibroblasts at 24 and 48 hours. It positively affected cell migration, and compared to the healthy group, chronic periodontitis patients’ fibroblasts treated with hydrogen water showed significantly more migration (P = 0.00). Hydrogen water also demonstrated antioxidant potential, with the highest potential observed in fibroblasts from chronic periodontitis patients at 48 hours.
Effect on Oral Ulcers
A study by Tokushima University in Japan involved inducing round wounds on the palates of rats to observe the effects of hydrogen-rich water on wound healing. The results showed that drinking hydrogen water accelerated oral wound healing by activating the Nrf2 pathway in tissues, increasing antioxidant activity, inhibiting systemic oxidative stress, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, and enhancing the expression of healing-related genes in the palatal tissues. This suggests that hydrogen-rich water has therapeutic effects on oral ulcers.
