If you struggle with both your weight and your dental hygiene, the issue might be with your diet. It turns out that some studies are now able to indicate a correlation between obesity and oral health. One study looked at participants who had a BMI of over 30. They also had periodontal disease. One solution to both problems might be a few simple lifestyle and dietary changes.
Results of the Study on Obesity and Oral Health
A recent study has shown that many people with a BMI of between 27 and 32 have an abundance of the bacteria Selenomonas noxia in their saliva. These bacteria not only contribute to periodontal disease, but it is associated with the kind of high glycemic foods that are known to contribute to obesity. There may be other contributing factors to a person’s obesity such as age and genetics. However, it also makes sense that eating too many foods that contain enough sugar to contribute to poor oral health would also lead to obesity.
How Your Dentist Can Help
There needs to be more research on this subject, but it is likely that your Garden City, NY dentist could start asking you what foods you’ve been eating the next time you go in for an appointment. If you have any concerns about your dental hygiene and you think it can be related to your weight, don’t hesitate to speak to Dr.
Contact Dominique Lizzio, Dr. John Cerrato, Dr. George Sheehan, and the rest of the Garden City Dental team. They will be happy to answer questions that you might have about your oral health. Please contact our offices with your questions about the relationship between obesity and oral health. Or schedule your next routine exam and we can discuss your concerns at your appointment.