Does Oral Hygiene Affect Your Metabolism?

Metabolism is defined as the set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms. The main purposes of this are to convert food to energy, to convert energy as building blocks for the body, and the elimination of metabolic wastes. This is why you often hear about metabolism in relationship to weight. But did you know that having poor oral health is actually linked to the development of metabolic syndrome? Continue reading to learn how.

What Is Metabolic Syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include:

• Increased blood pressure
• High blood sugar
• Excess body fat around the waist
• Abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels

Just because you have one of these conditions doesn’t necessarily mean that you have metabolic syndrome, but you are still at greater risk for serious health issues. This condition is increasingly common in the United States with up to one-third of US adults suffering from it.

Metabolic syndrome is also linked to a condition called “insulin resistance.” Insulin is made by your pancreas and helps to convert sugar in the body to fuel.

How Is Metabolic Syndrome Related to Oral Health?

Now that more and more Americans are developing metabolic syndrome, it is becoming apparent that certain oral health issues, like oral bacteria and inflammation, are linked to it. It is known that people who have periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, are more likely to suffer from diabetes and other health issues. In fact, about 22% of people who have diabetes are also suffering from periodontal disease.

When you have diabetes, it becomes more difficult for your body to fight off infections, causing gum disease to worsen. If you have late-stage gum disease, also known as periodontitis, blood sugar levels tend to rise, making it harder to keep diabetes under control. Ultimately, both conditions make each other worse.

How to Prevent Periodontal Disease

Fortunately, gum disease is easily preventable. Here are some tips to help:

• Floss Every Day: You should be flossing each day to remove plaque and bacteria from between the teeth and beneath the gumline. Slide up and down and back and forth in order to prevent inflammation and bleeding.
• Brush Teeth and Gums: Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, thoroughly brush your teeth, gumline, and gums every single day.
• Clean Your Tongue: Your tongue can collect bacteria as well. Use either a toothbrush or a tongue scraper to clean your tongue whenever you brush your teeth.
• Cut Back on Sugar: Having too many drinks and foods that are sweet and acidic can erode the enamel, causing decay. Limit the amount of soda, sports drinks, energy drinks, and juice.
• Visit Your Dentist: Regular dental cleanings and checkups are crucial to achieve optimal oral health. Your dentist is trained to pick up on early signs of gum disease so it can be treated before becoming serious.

So, the truth is that having poor oral health can affect your metabolism. By taking steps each day to keep your smile healthy, you are doing good for your whole body!

About the Author

At Orange Place Family Dentistry, you have two experienced dentists serving patients in the Beachwood, OH area. Both Dr. Jed M. Koops and Dr. Jerome L. Faist earned their Doctor of Dental Medicine degrees at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. Currently, they are members of the American Dental Association, Ohio Dental Association, and Greater Cleveland Dental Society. For more ways to keep your gums healthy or to schedule an appointment at their office, visit their website or call (216) 464-2448.