If you’re like most, you link bad oral care to dental problems. Fair enough – an unclean mouth will cause cavities, gum disease, and worse. Still, neglecting your teeth and gums doesn’t just harm them. The truth is that poor oral health also affects your metabolism. Unless you act, your mouth problems will damage the rest of your body. Your Boca Raton dentist can explain the matter further; here’s a primer on how an ailing mouth can lead to a weak body.
How Poor Oral Health Affects Metabolism
Put simply, bad mouth bacteria that stem from poor oral hygiene and gum disease can reach other organs. This transfer can then throw your metabolism out of whack.
The latest science bolsters this new idea. In a 2020 study from Japanese researchers, it was found that gum disease can alter your stomach microbes. The harmful gum bacteria alter your gut as they travel through your body. In doing so, they raise your risk of metabolic syndrome. This latter fact is also supported by a 2019 Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care study.
Wait, What’s Metabolic Syndrome?
In reality, metabolic syndrome isn’t a single thing. It’s actually a group of conditions that occur together and affect your body. Usually, a person has the syndrome if they suffer three or more of the following:
- A large waistline (i.e., ‘having an apple shape.’)
- High blood pressure
- Excess blood sugar
- High blood triglycerides
- Abnormal cholesterol levels
As metabolic syndrome takes place, it puts a large strain on your body. Those with it have an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Should any of the latter occur, you’ll face a lower quality of life at best. In the worst case, they can lead to potentially fatal consequences.
How Should You Respond?
Luckily, you can prevent gum disease and thus lower your risk of metabolic syndrome. Just use the tips listed below:
- Practice Good Oral Care – By brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing once daily, your gums will be much healthier.
- Avoid (or Quit) Smoking – Smoking tobacco is a major risk factor for gum disease. As such, avoid or quit this habit.
- Watch Your Eating Habits – Vitamin C is crucial to good gum health. Therefore, remember to eat plenty of fruits and veggies and to avoid excessive amounts of sugar.
- Get Regular Cleanings – Try to see your dentist for routine cleanings and checkups. That way, they’ll find and treat issues that threaten your gums.
Indeed, poor oral health affects your metabolism in strange ways. Given that fact, use the tricks above so your whole body can benefit!
About the Author
Dr. Alberto Lamberti has a decade of experience helping people build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, where he remained to complete a Fellowship in Implant Dentistry. Now, he offers a comprehensive array of services to meet all your dental needs. He combines a caring approach with state-of-the-art technology to provide lifelike restorations to rebuild your smile. You can request an appointment on the website or call (561) 338-7535.