Obesity and Your Teeth

Obesity refers to a medical condition in which an excess amount of fats in the body is observed. It usually leads to some adverse effects in our health as it decreases life span and increases risks of having various debilitating diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis and some cancer. It is commonly caused by factors such as eating more than your body can take and lack of physical activity. Perhaps there are some cases that it is being inherited or caused by some endocrine disorders and psychological illnesses.

The body mass index (BMI) is a measurement which compares height and weight. A person with a BMI of 30 or more is generally considered an obese. A person with a BMI equal to or more than 25 is considered overweight.

Eating a lot of foods (high in fat/ sugar) can cause decay to your teeth because of the carcinogens that inherits food bacteria and builds plaque or tartar. If you love eating fatty and acidic foods then you are not just prone to obesity but of tooth cavities and some gum problems as well. In some cases teeth fractures easily as it cannot tolerate masticating hard foods most especially if you always eat a lot. 

There are several factors that interact between obesity and tooth decay and it usually is connected through your eating habits. These factors involves lifestyle, physical activity as well as emotional and mental stress. When you've become indulged with eating a lot, your body mass changes and if this happens abruptly your teeth won't be able to support the weight of your buccal muscles or the mastication force that it carries during eating. Physical activities also affects how you eat as you consume energy doing it. Stress and anxiety are two factors affecting most eating habits as some console to food consumption as it gives them temporary relief after eating a lot.

The primary treatment for obesity is to be aware or be in control with the food that you eat (diet). You can eat healthy foods but you have to exercise regularly and take good care of your oral health. Visiting your dentist at least twice a year will help prevent tooth decay as well as maintain as well-cleaned dentition.