How Dropping a Few Pounds can be Beneficial to your Oral Health

Bloomsburg, Danville, and Lewisburg, PA

Eating healthy and exercising regularly are not commitments to be taken lightly. A healthy lifestyle and shedding some excess weight can have a positive effect on many aspects of your life. It will make you physically and mentally healthier. But did you know that losing weight could also improve your smile? Being overweight increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, and even gum disease. Today on the blog, find out how dropping a few pounds can be beneficial to your oral health.

What is gum disease?

Periodontal disease, which is more commonly referred to as gum disease, stems from a bacterial infection in your gums. The disease is treatable even though it doesn’t have a cure. Gum disease causes inflammation, bleeding, and damage to the gums. It often leads to tooth loss, when left untreated, and has been linked to a variety of health issues, including diabetes and heart disease.

How is weight and gum disease connected?

Gum disease is affected by inflammation, and your body produces proteins that have inflammatory properties called cytokines. The higher your weight, the more cytokines your body produces, increasing the overall inflammation rate throughout your body and elevating your risk of gum disease.

Nearly one-third of Americans are overweight, and half have gum disease. Tackling these two health risks are top priorities for dentists and physicians.

How can I prevent gum disease?

• At-Home Oral Hygiene: The best thing you can do to lower your risk of gum disease is to brush your teeth twice a day and floss every day. Lots of people skip flossing, but flossing should be an essential part of your at-home oral hygiene routine because your toothbrush cannot reach between your teeth or under your gum line. Those are also some of the prime areas where bacteria lurk. Brush twice a day and floss daily to reduce oral bacteria that lead to gum disease and cavities.
• Professional Dental Care: It’s essential to receive professional dental cleanings twice a year. At Hamilton Dental Care, our dental hygienist will remove all the plaque and tartar from your teeth—something you can’t do on your own. This also limits your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Not to mention that each of your dental check-ups in Bloomsburg includes an exam, making it easier to identify early warning signs of dental problems, such as gum disease.
• Diet and Exercise: Having a healthy body and mind isn’t just about numbers on a scale or fitting unrealistic stereotypes. It’s about getting proper vitamins and nutrients, combined with good physical activity. Vitamins D and B promote good oral health by combating inflammation in the body. Moderate amounts of sunlight increase Vitamin D levels. If you are overweight, your body naturally produces more of the inflammation-causing bacteria that lead to gum disease. So, getting enough Vitamin D is a good way to reduce inflammation in your body, and your gums. Exercise outside to help burn calories, and absorb natural Vitamin D from the sun! Be sure to talk to your doctor if you think that you might benefit from taking Vitamin D supplements.

Dental Care in Bloomsburg

Maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle has a host of benefits. Avoiding gum disease may not seem like the biggest benefit of all, but avoiding oral health diseases could save your life! Likewise, maintaining a healthy lifestyle has many other benefits beyond a healthy smile. If you would like to learn about more ways to protect your oral health, or schedule a consultation, contact Hamilton Dental Care by calling (570) 387-0533. We provide dental care the areas of Bloomsburg, Danville, and Lewisburg, PA.