Obesity and Increased Risk of Tooth Loss
Obesity has been linked with a number of serious health effects, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes. It has also recently been linked with tooth loss, according to Japanese researchers who studied more than 800 individuals and their eating habits. Lost teeth must be replaced, either with dental bridges and crowns, dentures, or dental implants, or the remaining teeth are at greater risk of decaying and drifting.
They discovered that those who were overweight or obese were more likely to suffer both gum disease and tooth loss than those who were either underweight or of a healthy weight. The group of individuals who ate fatty foods and few vegetables were the most likely to suffer from dental disease. Overweight and obese individuals who consumed plenty of vegetables were less likely to suffer dental diseases.
Overweight and obesity are often said to be an epidemic in the U.S. Many doctors suggest that a weight loss of just 5 percent can have a significant benefit on an individuals health. This study reveals that even without an accompanying weight loss, any improvement in diet can also benefit a personís health.
Eating a healthier diet rich in vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy just makes sense for your overall and dental health. Even individuals of healthy weight can maximize their oral health by limiting their consumption of high-fat, high-sugar, or ready-to-eat foods and beverages. To learn more about how your eating habits can affect your dental health, schedule your consultation with our dentist in Los Angeles today.