Do You Know The Link Between Your Weight And Teeth?

There are plenty of reasons to lose weight, like staying fit and looking good. However, here is one more reason that most people don’t know. According to a new study on oral diseases, overweight people have poor oral health as compared to fit people. The study also shows that obese people are at a six times higher risk to suffer from gum diseases.

The study was conducted on people in Thailand, and 70 percent of the participants were overweight. People with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 23 are considered obese in Thailand. The BMI is defined as the body mass divided by the square of the body height, and is universally expressed in units of kg/m, resulting from mass in kilograms and height in meters. Commonly accepted BMI ranges are underweight: under 18.5 kg/m, normal weight: 18.5 to 25, overweight: 25 to 30, obese: over 30. The obese participants were found to suffer from more dental issues and severe gum infections as compared to people with low BMI. The study proved that there is a link between oral health and overall health and lets us know more about how our health and weight are related to our teeth.

Food Affects Oral And Digestive Health

Whatever we eat first enters our mouth and affects our teeth and gums. Then it goes to the stomach and intestines, which affects all the organs of our digestive system. The organs include the stomach, intestines, liver, gall bladder, and kidneys. All these organs are concerned, whether we consume right or wrong foods. There may not be a direct link between oral health and digestive health. However, the food we eat affects our teeth, gums, and digestive organs.

Health Of Blood

The food we consume enters our digestive system for digestion. The stomach and small intestines absorb the nutrients which enters our blood. Nutrients reach the cells of our body through blood when it circulates through various parts. So, whatever we eat, whether good or bad, enters our blood and reaches all the organs of our body.

If we consume more oily foods and junk foods, they contain oils and contaminants that enter our blood and contaminate it. The consumption of wrong foods can spoil blood health, which circulates and affects the entire body.

Food Affects Body Weight

For example, if we consume a calorie-rich diet including carbohydrates and fats, the same nutrients reach our cells and lead to an increase in fat cells. The abundance of fat cells leads to an increase in overall fat in the body, which increases weight. For people who consume a calorie-rich diet regularly and don’t exercise, the extra energy they get from calories is stored under the skin in the form of fat cells. Consuming a high-calorie diet regularly leads to overweight or obesity in kids and adults.

How Is Obesity Linked To Oral Health?

Now, as we understand that a calorie-rich diet containing extra carbohydrates and fats leads to obesity, let us understand how it is linked to oral health. Obesity increases cholesterol in the blood that can clog arteries and form blood clots. It also causes inflammation in the body and the same in the gums. The inflammation of gums can lead to tooth pain and other oral problems in the mouth.

The same foods that increase weight are also responsible for teeth and gum issues. Therefore, obesity is closely related to teeth and gum diseases.

Sugars Affect Oral Health And Obesity

Carbohydrates found in rice, potatoes, pasta, and refined wheat flour convert into simple sugars which are the top contributors to weight gain. That is why dieticians recommend these foods to thin people who want to gain weight. However, in the mouth, these simple sugars further convert into plaque on teeth and gums if not removed. As plaque accumulates on gums and teeth, it increases the risk of gum diseases like gingivitis, periodontitis, and tooth decay.

The same carbohydrates are the reason for weight gain that causes obesity in the body. That is why most obese people are found to have poor overall health and suffer from teeth and gum diseases.

Gum Diseases And Belly Fat

Consuming simple carbohydrates like rice and wheat flour contribute to gum diseases and also develops fat in the abdominal area. People who consume rice and wheat in more than required amounts develop an inflammation in the liver also called fatty liver. The excess fat also builds up at the abdomen that increases the risk of diseases like type-2 diabetes, obesity, and gout.

How To Control Obesity And Oral Diseases

The best way to control obesity and oral diseases is to control what we eat. The wrong foods are the main reason for obesity and dental issues. It is essential to eat a balanced diet or as recommended by a physician. Moreover, it is good to do a light workout and check your weight to maintain the same. You can use good quality weighing indicators to check your weight.

Following good dental hygiene is essential to remove the access sugars and sticky foods from the mouth. Also, visiting for routine dental checkups can help you diagnose and treat oral problems at the right time. The overall conclusion is that consuming the right foods and overall hygiene is the key to good oral health and ideal weight.

Looking for a 100% all-natural liquid tooth oil and mouth rinse? Check out OraMD Original Strength and OraMD Extra Strength. Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral health and skincare. If you are looking for more health resources check out the Trusted Health Resources list. 

Written By:
Emily Bartels loves to write on issues related to health. She has been in the industry for 5+ years and specializes in writing educative content on health and swimming. She loves to read trending news to keep updated!  

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.