Although it may sound unlikely, your body weight and dental health could be related. A recent study explained how this is possible and what these two have in common.
Read on to learn more.
Obesity and Dental Health
A study published in the Journal of Dental Research explored how obesity affects dental health in mice. The scientists compared mice fed high-fat and low-fat diets for four months and came to interesting conclusions.
Namely, obesity causes inflammation. This inflammation expands the immune cells and increases the risk of gum disease, which causes bone loss in the mouth area. This is why mice with a high-fat diet had much worse dental health than those with a low-fat diet.
Moreover, the results showed mice exposed to a high fat intake had more cells that could potentially turn into osteoclasts that degrade bones.
Although this study gets us one step closer to discovering the connection between obesity and dental health, remember that it was conducted on mice. We still can’t be 100% sure about this link in the human body. The study’s authors highlighted that more research needs to be done in this area to get clear and conclusive results.
Obesity Is Dangerous, Serious, and Expensive
According to the CDC, obesity prevalence in the U.S. was 42.4% in 2017-2018. This dangerous condition can cause high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, breathing problems, heart disease, and numerous other issues.
If you want to lower the risks of these conditions, it’s essential to pay attention to your diet and exercise regularly. Remember to consult your doctor regarding treatments, therapy, and dietary restrictions.