Time for a quick pop quiz…so what are the best ways to lose weight?
- Create a caloric deficit. In other words, expend more energy than you take in from food and beverages.
- Exercise more – specifically with brief, intense workouts as opposed to marathon cardio sessions.
- Get serious with your sleep; at least 6-8 solid hours of shut-eye per night.
- Brush and floss your teeth on a daily basis.
Well, this quiz is obvious, right? 1, 2 & 3 will help you shed those pesky pounds.
But brushing and flossing your teeth? That’s some sort of a joke answer, right?
Actually, optimal dental health promotes total health, period – including the “battle of the bulge” to keep your waistline trim and overall body mass index (BMI) within reasonable levels. So, all answers are correct! How can this be?
Recent studies have confirmed what many healthcare professionals had already figured was true: good oral healthcare is directly linked to overall wellbeing. The state of anyone’s tooth and gum care regimen is correlated to their health. From endocarditis (a specific heart disease), cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, and many other afflictions – they’re all related to oral healthcare in some way.
And with many people already failing with their New Year’s resolutions (hopefully yours are still going strong!), a healthy body weight is just one more area that can improve by…taking care of your teeth and gums!
Don’t believe it? The proof is in the pudding, as we’ll see in a minute (although you might want to skip the pudding for the best health).
Your Mouth: A Window to Total Health
Good dental hygiene is one of the most highly recommended healthcare practices. Everyone agrees that a healthy diet (not too many sugary substances, candy, etc.), regular brushing & flossing, and scheduled trips to the dentist will help your teeth and gums.
And now, exiting new studies suggest that exceptional oral health has been linked to optimal wellness which extends far beyond the teeth and gums.
According to a study in the journal Oral Diseases, people with higher body weight had subpar oral health, including oral inflammation, cavities, and periodontitis. There seems to be an association between “leaky gums” and other health problems. You may have already heard of “leaky gut syndrome,” a condition where bacteria and other particles enter the bloodstream through the intestines and other areas of the gut.
Well, in terms of maintaining a healthy body weight, it looks like gum disease and other oral health issues can impact the body’s hormone levels and overall inflammation, as bacteria are more likely to spread from the mouth in people who don’t care for their teeth on a regular basis. This vicious cycle (poor tooth & gum care, bacteria buildup, chronic inflammation) encourages weight gain, since the body is constantly dealing with inflammation and not absorbing nutrients properly.
Researchers have always associated obesity with illnesses like diabetes, some immune disorders, and other maladies. And in some ways, it all leads back to the mouth. While not all health issues can be directly tied to oral healthcare habits, one thing’s for certain: if you take care of your mouth the right way, there’s a better chance your overall health will be fine – including a healthy body weight.
Visit Dr. Dental Today – We’ll Get Your Oral Healthcare Back on Track
Whether you’re looking to lose weight and want to optimize your oral healthcare habits or haven’t been to the dentist in a while, Dr. Dental is here to help. With dozens of offices located throughout the New England region, there’s always a Dr. Dental facility up around the bend; we have locations in New Jersey, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
If you haven’t visited us yet, take advantage of our new patient cleaning special, just one of our exclusive deals and discounts.
Thanks for visiting our website – check back for more helpful articles on oral healthcare, tooth care tips, and much more.