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Association Between Toothbrushing Habits and Mucosal Healing in Japanese Patients with Ulcerative Colitis
Sen Yagi1, Shinya Furukawa2, Teruki Miyake3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Saiseikai Imabari Hospital, Imabari, Ehime, 799-1592, Japan.
Digestive Diseases and Sciences
|May 28, 2026
Summary
For Japanese patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), frequent toothbrushing is linked to better mucosal healing (MH). The number of remaining teeth did not show a significant association with MH outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Oral Health
- Clinical Research
Background:
- The link between the oral environment and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC), is recognized.
- Limited data exists on the specific association between oral health parameters and UC disease activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the number of remaining teeth and toothbrushing frequency with mucosal healing (MH) in Japanese patients diagnosed with UC.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 275 UC patients participated, providing lifestyle and oral health data via questionnaires.
- Mucosal healing (MH) was defined by a Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES) of 0.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of MH in the study cohort was 24.7%.
- No significant association was found between the number of remaining teeth and MH.
- Toothbrushing frequency demonstrated an independent positive association with MH (adjusted odds ratio: 2.87).
Conclusions:
- Toothbrushing frequency, rather than the number of remaining teeth, may be independently and positively associated with mucosal healing in Japanese UC patients.
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