To Your Health
February, 2021 (Vol. 15, Issue 02) |
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Does Your Dental Health Impact Whole-Body Health?
By Editorial Staff
Who knew your teeth could have such a profound influence on your overall health. New research suggests people with poor dental hygiene leading to periodontal / gum disease are more likely to have increased insulin resistance and other indicators of metabolic syndrome – a constellation of risk factors that can lead to type 2 diabetes and other health issues.
In the study, researchers correlated infection with Porphyyromonas gingivalis, a periodontal bacterium, with the development of metabolic syndrome / metabolic dysfunction in skeletal muscle (which have a high metabolic capacity that aids in glucose metabolism). They then determined that infection may compromise the gastrointestinal microbiome, leading to metabolic syndrome. Study findings appear in The FASEB Journal.
Metabolic syndrome is characterized by a group of concurrent conditions that elevate the risk of not only type 2 diabetes, but also heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess abdominal body fat, and high cholesterol / triglyceride levels are the primary conditions that lead to a metabolic syndrome diagnosis. If you suffer from any of the above conditions and you're not practicing good dental hygiene, you're on the fast road for major health issues that are easily avoided with a few simple lifestyle changes. Your doctor can tell you more about how to avoid metabolic syndrome and enjoy lasting whole-body health.
