Are Gum Disease and Obesity Connected?

Gum disease has a direct correlation with obesity and many people don’t realize this fact. We all know that eating sugary and fatty foods puts on weight. People have also known for many years that sugar promotes dental decay.

Aside from obesity creating risks for heart disease, high blood pressure and type II diabetes, RDH magazine published an in-depth article that explains why obesity also increases the risk of gum disease.

How Great of a Risk Is Obesity for Gum Disease?

Gum disease results from infection and inflammation of the periodontal tissue (gums). Here’s an interesting fact that puts into perspective the connection between obesity and gum disease. In terms of risk factors that inflame and destroy gum tissue, smoking is the number one factor and obesity is the number two factor.

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology revealed that out of 1,000 individuals, the people with greater body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and visceral fat (internal fat around the organs) had more occurrences of gum disease than non-obese individuals. Also people who weren’t obese responded better to periodontal treatment.

Reasons Obesity Puts You at Risk for Gum Disease

Some diets are inflammatory and they also lead to weight increase. The immune system becomes compromised by this type of diet and has a harder time fighting off infection.

Importance of Eating Healthy Foods

Aside from electronic tooth brushing and other actions your dentist has you do to fight and reduce gum disease, it’s very important to eat a healthy diet. Eating a low-inflammatory diet that is rich in antioxidants improves your dental health.

Low inflammatory diets include —

Contact Us if You Have Questions about Dental Care

At Hutto Hippo Family Dental, Dr. Baker can answer your questions about dental care and help you keep your teeth and gums healthy.