While we know that obesity can affect our hearts, our muscles, or brains, our skin, and all of our internal organs, believe it or not, it can also affect out dental health. Dentists and oral surgeons are finding that our teeth and gums are directly affected by our overall health, and even our weight.
Obesity is considered to be an ongoing epidemic in the United States, with an estimated 31% of the adult population classified as obese.
A study published in the June 2009 issue of the Journal of Dental Research suggests that oral bacteria may contribute to the development of obesity. The study involved 313 overweight women, with a body mass index (BMI) between 27 and 32.
After comparing the saliva of the overweight women to the saliva of two hundred and thirty two healthy individuals from periodontal disease studies, researchers discovered the likelihood that a single bacterial species (Selenomonas noxia) found in 98.4% of the overweight subjects may serve as a biological indicator of a developing overweight condition. Alternatively, the researchers believe in the possibility that oral bacteria may participate in the body processes that leads to obesity.
This raises the question-what comes first really, the obesity or the changes in oral health? Either way, this connection is very important in understanding both the health or our mouth, and obesity in adults.
You may be wondering what causes oral bacteria. Preventing and controlling obesity generally begins with examining and modifying our diet.
Researchers from the University of Washington School of Dentistry suggest there may be a connection between a high glycemic diet and dental disease. Fermentable carbohydrates, such as refined wheat flour, potatoes, rice, and pasta, convert into simple sugars in the mouth.
These foods are believed by many experts to contribute to weight gain, leading up to obesity.
The connection these same sugars have on our dental health is rather interesting.
When ingested, simple sugars are converted into plaque if not removed immediately. As plaque begins to accumulate on our teeth and gums, the risk for varying forms of gum disease such as gingivitis and periodontitis, as well as tooth decay, may become inevitable.
Although some viewpoints suggest that fermentable carbohydrates are essential to our diet, and preventing dental disease from the conversion of these sugars into plaque is preventable by following a regimented dental hygiene schedule, the possibility remains that following a low glycemic diet may be beneficial to our oral health and waistline. This is a concept that greatly increases our overall health and wellness.
As we continue to learn about the connection between our health and our mouth, the reaffirmation that regular dental examinations, meticulous dental hygiene by brushing and flossing twice daily, and conscious dietary modifications may prevent health complications related to gum disease and essentially oral bacteria. To begin to protect your body, exercise every day for at least twenty minutes.
This can be anything from a jog, to jump roping, to swimming, to hopping on an exercise machine. Just get your muscles moving, and your heart pumping.
Make sure that you are eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and limiting your high fat foods and carbohydrates. Everything in moderation is a good rule to follow.
Drinking plenty of water will also help to control your weight, keep you hydrated, and protect your teeth. Every part of body is intrinsically connected to all the other working parts-when one part begins to decline in health, the other parts follow quickly.
Next, to care of your mouth, make sure that you are brushing at least twice daily, or after every meal. Brush in a circular pattern, so you don't make your gums recede.
Flossing is probably the most important thing you can do for the health of your teeth. If you were only able to either brush or floss for the rest of your life, your dentist would most likely tell you to choose flossing.
Flossing is what protects your gums and teeth against cavities, as it gets in the tiny nooks and crannies that your brush cannot reach. Flossing before bed will help prevent gum disease.
As you can see there are things you can do to protect your body and your mouth from the effects of obesity. Take care of your body, and it will take care of you.
Author Resource:-
Ronald Pedactor is a former dental assistant and has authored hundreds of articles relating to oral health. He worked for a dentist in South Carolina before becoming a guest dental lecturer for the past 15 years.
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