Can Dental Issues be Related to Weight Gain?

Louisville, KY

We don’t often make the correlation, but if you’re gaining weight or can’t seem to lose it, dental issues could be the cause. Research, in fact, has proven that teeth and oral health play a significant role in weight and overall health. If you’ve been struggling with your weight, follow along today as our family dentist in Louisville explains how it could be because of your dental health.

Dietary choices and chewing ability

Missing teeth or teeth that are decayed, broken, chipped or otherwise damaged make chewing difficult. Healthy food choices like crisp, raw vegetables and fruits can become difficult and painful to eat. This leads many people to choose softer foods that are highly processed and full of sugars, starches and unhealthy fats. Over time, this can lead to weight gain, and this becomes a vicious cycle because when you’re overweight, you’re more likely to consume a high-sugar diet that can easily lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

Inflammation

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection in tissue throughout the body. Obesity can cause inflammation, making people more susceptible to the bacteria that cause gum disease. The first signs of gum disease — red, swollen gums that bleed easily — result from inflammation. Oral infections can cause inflammation in other parts of the body, disrupting the metabolism and making it harder for a person to use energy and store fat. This can result in weight gain. The systemic inflammation linked to gum disease has even been associated with insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes.

Sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition that causes a person to repeatedly stop breathing during sleep, sometimes for lengthy periods. This interrupts the sleep cycle, leading to poor rest. Studies have shown that inadequate sleep can disrupt hormones that regulate hunger and fullness. This hormonal imbalance often results in increased appetite and cravings for calorie-dense foods, making weight management more difficult.

How can my dentist help?

Your Jeffersonville family dentist can help by addressing the underlying issues that could be keeping you from enjoying a healthy life.

Let’s look at a few solutions we offer:

1. Replace missing teeth

Dental implants, dentures or bridges can replace missing teeth, which will help you eat a more healthy, balanced diet.

2. Treat gum disease

Routine checkups and cleanings at our Shepherdsville family dentist’s office keep your teeth and gums healthy. This reduces inflammation and improves overall health.

3. Address sleep apnea

We offer custom-made oral appliances to manage mild to moderate cases of OSA. Better-quality sleep helps your body regulate hormones, which will help you manage hunger and satiety.

Family dentist in Louisville and Jeffersonville KY

If you’re struggling with your weight and you believe your oral health may have something to do with it, call Exceptional Dentistry at 888-918-3336, or reach out to us online today. We would love to work with you to see you live your healthiest, happiest life.