Can fish oil pills help your gums and heart?
Omega-3 fatty acids and oral and systemic inflammation: A secondary analysis of a randomized trial in patients with coronary artery disease.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
The anti-inflammatory effect of fish oil was significantly stronger in the left gingival quadrant than the right.
Most people assume supplements affect the body uniformly—this localized effect suggests external factors like brushing habits may dramatically alter how supplements work.
Practical Takeaways
If you have heart disease, consider taking 3.36 g/day of EPA and DHA as a complement to brushing—especially if you're right-handed.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
The anti-inflammatory effect of fish oil was significantly stronger in the left gingival quadrant than the right.
Most people assume supplements affect the body uniformly—this localized effect suggests external factors like brushing habits may dramatically alter how supplements work.
Practical Takeaways
If you have heart disease, consider taking 3.36 g/day of EPA and DHA as a complement to brushing—especially if you're right-handed.
Publication
Journal
Journal of the American Dental Association
Year
2026
Authors
Bushra Ahmad, Ralph Daher, Abdulaziz Malik, Y. Jeong, Francine K. Welty
Related Content
Claims (4)
People who brush their teeth with their right hand might be cleaning the left side of their mouth differently, and this could be why a certain inflammatory protein is lower on that side — especially if they're taking fish oil supplements.
Eating more fish oil fats called EPA and DHA may help lower inflammation in your body and brain.
Taking a specific type of fish oil supplement every day for two and a half years may help reduce inflammation in the gums and lower a blood marker of body-wide inflammation in people with stable heart disease who are already on statins.
Taking fish oil supplements with EPA and DHA might help people with heart disease have healthier gums and lower their risk of heart problems, because it could reduce inflammation in the body and mouth.