Obesity Increases Periodontal-Disease Risk

It is important to identify causes of gum disease, as well as to diagnose and treat it . . .
In its mild form, gingivitis (gum disease) may only lead to bleeding gums. However, if not treated, gingivitis can progress to a more severe stage, periodontitis, in which bacteria-laden plaque provokes an inflammatory response in gums. To avoid the potential of infection and tooth loss, it is important to identify causes of gum disease, as well as to diagnose and treat it. With this in mind, researchers have recently found that obese adults are at higher risk of gingivitis than people of normal weight. In fact, over the course of the 16-year study, obesity was found to be associated with a 29 percent increase of periodontal disease. The common denominator is thought to be inflammation.

Did you know?
In addition to the obesity link with gum disease in the study mentioned above, a waist measurement of 40 inches or more in men was linked to a higher risk of heart disease.

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