Improve Oral Health By Losing Weight!

Losing Fat Also Improves Periodontal Health, Dental Researchers Report

Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine

when fat cells (which trigger inflammation) are removed.

researchers found the human body is better at fighting
gum disease...

 

Findings come from a pilot study of 31 obese people with gum disease. Half of the group with an average body mass index (BMI) of 39 had gastric bypass surgery and had fat cells from the abdomen removed. That half fared better than a control group of obese people with a BMI of 35 who
also were treated for gum disease but did not have the gastric bypass surgery or fat removed.

 

What intrigued the researchers is that the majority of those who underwent surgery had a drop in their glucose levels after the procedure, a result that bodes well for overweight people predisposed to diabetes and insulin-related problems.

 

All study participants underwent nonsurgical periodontal treatments of scaling/root planing and oral hygiene instructions for home care. While
both groups showed improvement, the surgery group did even better on
the measures for periodontal attachment,bleeding, probing depths and plaque levels.

 

Inflammation that continues to brew in the body can have harmful effects over time, and inflammation from gum disease can erode bone and cause tooth loss. It can also cause breaks in the gums where harmful oral bacteria can enter the blood stream. Such bacteria have been linked to preterm birth, fetal death, heart disease, diabetes and arthritis, said researchers from the department of periodontics at Case Western Reserve School
of Dental Medicine.

 

The study "Response to periodontal therapy in subjects who had weight loss following bariatric surgery and obese counterparts: a pilot study,"
is published in the Journal of Periodontology.

 

This study presents two hypotheses about why the gastric bypass surgery group improved...

The first theory is that excessive fat cells (adipocytes) secrete more cytokines, which make insulin more resistant to doing its function.

As a result, more accumulation of sugar in the blood (hyperglycemia) occurs. Losing weight, therefore, makes insulin less resistant

and improves the diabetic status. This in turn helps in the response to periodontal treatment.

 

The other theory relates to the presence of the leptin hormone that regulates appetite. Leptin plays a role in regulating metabolism and has been linked to inflammation by increasing the production of cytokines and C-reactive protein, which is also linked to inflammation. Leptin production was reduced after bariatric surgery and may be one explanation for the better outcomes in the periodontal treatment.

 

As the researchers look to the further their research, their next step will be to conduct a longitudinal study to support their preliminary findings.

 

Journal Reference:

Response to Periodontal Therapy in Subjects Who Had Weight Loss Following Bariatric Surgery and Obese Counterparts: A Pilot

Study. Journal of Periodontology, 2011;

 

Case Western Reserve University (2011, November 9).
Lose the fat and improve the gums, dental researchers find.

 

This article is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact your doctor or healthcare professional for medical and nutritional consultation.