People with gum disease have fewer mouth bacteria that help convert nitrate to nitrite compared to people with healthy gums.
Scientific Claim
Periodontitis is associated with lower levels of nitrate-reducing bacteria in subgingival plaque and tongue samples compared to periodontal health.
Original Statement
“In periodontitis, the median of relative abundances of nitrite-producers, confirmed nitrate-reducers, periodontitis-associated species, and red complex were, 15.32%, 2.53%, 25.24% and 3.03% in subgingival plaque, respectively, and 22.52%, 16.99%, 8.79% and 0.12% in tongue samples. In periodontal health, these were 21.45%, 6.36%, 8.87% and 0.06% in subgingival plaque and 24.52%, 15.68%, 4.76% and 0.01% in tongue communities, respectively.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The study design is observational and shows association between periodontitis and lower levels of nitrate-reducing bacteria. The language 'associated with' appropriately reflects the correlational nature of the findings.