Why Would Poor Oral Hygiene Affect My Metabolism?

For most people, poor oral health is bad enough on its own. After all, it can eventually take the form of cavities, dental abscesses, gum disease, and worse. However, did you know unhealthy teeth and gums can also hurt your metabolism? If that happens, you’re likely to develop some severe problems. To learn more, here’s a summary of the relationship between oral health and metabolism by Owings Mills dentists.

So, How *Does* Poor Oral Health Affect Metabolism?

A study done by Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) discovered that gum disease could alter your stomach’s bacteria. In other words, infected gum tissue can mess up your ability to absorb nutrients from food and drinks. As a result, it can trigger something called metabolic syndrome. This conclusion finds further support from The Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, which links gum disease to metabolic syndrome as well.

How Would Metabolic Syndrome Impact Me?

Technically speaking, metabolic syndrome isn’t one thing; it’s a group of harmful conditions that occur together. It usually takes place when you have three or more of the following:

• A large waistline (i.e., ‘having an apple shape.’)
• High blood pressure
• Excess blood sugar
• Abnormal cholesterol levels

Those with metabolic syndrome are at greater risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. These latter conditions lower your quality of life and make you sluggish or tired. In the worst case, they can even kill you.

Tips to Prevent Gum Disease

Given the above, one way to avoid metabolic syndrome (and thus improve your physical health) is to prevent gum disease. That said, consider adding the following to your regular routines:

• Practice dental care at home – Brush your teeth for two minutes twice daily and floss at least once daily.
• Avoid bad oral habits – For example, quit smoking if you’re a smoker. Also, try not to snack on sugary, fatty, or processed foods.
• Visit your dentist – Ideally, see your dentist every six months for routine cleanings and checkups. They’ll be able to find and treat issues that you may not notice.

As you can see, you shouldn’t think that poor oral health will only affect your mouth. If you’re not careful, it could damage your whole body.

About the Author

Dr. Jacob Milner is based in Owings Mills, MD, having earned his DDS from the University of Maryland’s School of Dentistry. For post-graduate training, he completed an externship at Maryland’s Kernan Hospital. His specialties are preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, not to mention emergency dental treatments. He is also a certified Invisalign provider. Dr. Milner currently practices at Dolfield Dental and can be reached at his website or by phone at (410)-902-4110.