The Surprising Connection Between Your Weight and Gum Health

Maintaining a healthy weight seems like a no-brainer, but it is actually important for overall health. Those who are overweight or obese have a higher risk of developing health issues, like heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and even certain cancers.

Yet another big reason to work toward a healthy weight is that those who are overweight or obese could be at a greater risk of developing severe gum disease, periodontitis, a condition which damages the soft tissue and destroys the bone that supports your teeth.

The Link Between Your Weight and Gum Disease

Almost ninety percent of people living with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. “There is a bidirectional relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease in that treating one disease has a positive effect on the other,” points out Gigi Meinecke, DMD, FAGD, member and spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry, and a dentist based in Potomac, MD. At this time, further research is still needed, as it can’t be said that one causes the other, she adds.

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) encourages those with diabetes to pay extra attention to their oral health, since studies have found that those with diabetes are more prone to oral infections and gum disease than those without diabetes.

While periodontitis may be linked to weight, it can also be the result of poor oral hygiene. Fortunately, it’s preventable. On top of regular dental checkups, floss daily and brush twice a day with a toothpaste like parodontax Clean Mint, which helps reduce bleeding gums, and removes the plaque bacteria that can cause bleeding gums in the first place.

Bleeding gums can be a sign of gingivitis, the beginning stage of gum disease. If gum disease is left untreated, it can progress to a point where dental intervention is required — so being proactive and treating the early stages with parodontax is a great first step in getting your oral health back on track.