How Can My Oral Hygiene Affect My Metabolism?

Metabolic syndrome happens when the body becomes resistant to insulin, and it can cause a massive range of systemic health issues. If left untreated, it will lead to graver problems like diabetes and heart disease. Dental science has been accumulating more and more evidence of a link between metabolic disorders and oral inflammation. Here’s what you should know about how your oral hygiene can affect your metabolic health.

How Does Metabolism Work?

Metabolism is the process by which an organism converts food into the energy and building blocks it needs and eliminates waste products from its system. When a body’s metabolic functions are running efficiently, the various systems of its body can operate smoothly and healthily.

However, if the organism is consuming too much or not enough of some type of food or if the metabolism is interrupted by an infection or environmental exposure, a variety of health problems can occur. In humans, these problems typically take the form of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and stroke. These conditions, in turn, create improper conditions for a healthy metabolism, potentially resulting in a downward spiral.

The Link Between Gum Disease and Metabolic Disorders

Gum disease has long been known to contribute to a wide variety of other health problems, with one common example being diabetes. If a patient has been suffering from long-term gum disease, the stress that comes from trying to contain it can strain the endocrine system, setting the patient up to develop type II diabetes. To make matters worse, diabetes reduces the immune system’s ability to fight infection, making it easier to develop and harder to fight gum disease. If you have diabetes and gum disease together, each can worsen the other’s symptoms and make either condition harder to fight.

What Is Proper Oral Hygiene?

The good news is that gum disease and diabetes are almost always preventable with proper oral hygiene and a healthy diet. Some excellent ways to keep your gums and your pancreas healthy include:

• An excellent oral hygiene routine: Every day, you should brush at least twice and floss and rinse with antibacterial mouthwash at least once. This will eliminate most of the oral bacteria and food debris that can cause gum disease.
• Keep up with your regular dentist appointments: Be sure you are scheduled for your next routine dental exam. These allow your dentist to clean your teeth of all sorts of buildup that can contribute to gum disease.
• Consume sugar moderately: Empty-calorie snacks like sodas, candy, and potato chips can leave a sugary or starchy residue that can feed the harmful bacteria in your mouth. Limit your intake and drink plenty of water to help clean your mouth when enjoying these indulgences.

Good habits are what make or break your health in the long run. Taking care of your teeth and watching your diet can protect you against diabetes and keep you smiling brightly.

About the Author

Dr. Jeffery F. Hermen earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at The OU College of Dentistry and continues pursuing continuing education courses in the latest developments in the dental field. He is a proud member of the Oklahoma Dental Association and a board member of the Oklahoma County Dental Society. His office in Oklahoma City offers general, pediatric, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry in addition to gum disease treatments. For more information on how gum disease can affect your overall health, contact his office online or dial (405) 621-2100.