How Can Poor Oral Hygiene Affect Your Metabolism?

The process where your body turns food and beverages into the energy it needs for everyday functions is known as your metabolism. You’re probably already aware that your metabolism tends to slow down as you get older, but age isn’t the only factor that can hamper your body’s ability to burn calories efficiently. Research shows that there may be a link between metabolic health issues and poor oral health. Being aware of this link and how much of a difference oral hygiene can make could go a long way towards maintaining a better metabolism in Ghana.

What is Metabolic Syndrome?

If your metabolic processes don’t work as well as they should, the result could be metabolic syndrome. This is a cluster of conditions that includes heightened blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels. Together, these conditions can put you at risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other dangerous health problems. Metabolic syndrome is becoming more and more common in the United States, with up to one-third of the adult population having been diagnosed with it.

The Link Between Oral Health and Metabolic Syndrome

How does this tie into your oral health? As metabolic syndrome has become more common, its link to certain oral health issues has become more apparent. Specifically, evidence suggests there’s a relationship between gum disease and metabolic syndrome. The bacteria that cause gum disease can spread throughout your body, leading to inflammation and making you more likely to suffer from other health issues. In particular, many people with gum disease also have high blood sugar – one of the conditions that make up metabolic syndrome.

What makes this link particularly troublesome is that the conditions can make each other worse. If you have diabetes as a result of metabolic syndrome, it will become harder for your body to fight off infections, making gum disease more severe. In turn, as gum disease reaches its more advanced stages, blood sugar levels tend to rise, making diabetes harder to manage.  

How Can You Protect Yourself from Gum Disease and Metabolic Syndrome?

Protecting yourself from gum disease is relatively simple. You can often prevent it by practicing optimal oral hygiene; that means brushing and flossing every day, cleaning your tongue, and visiting your dentist for periodic cleanings and checkups. It’s also a good idea to cut back on the sugar that harmful oral bacteria feed off.

As for metabolic syndrome, you can address the various symptoms by improving your diet, getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every week, and losing weight. You can also talk to your doctors about other steps you can take depending on your circumstances.

In short, being proactive is the key to maintaining your oral health in Ghana while also taking care of the rest of your body. Be sure to speak to your dentist if you think a problem in your mouth might be leading to other health issues.

About Bethel Dental

At Bethel Dental, our doctors are known for their clinical experience and expertise, having undergone advanced training in a wide range of dental specialties and technologies. When we identify oral health issues like gum disease, not only do we offer state of the art treatments, but we also make sure that you’re fully informed about the impact it can have on the rest of your body. If you’d like to schedule a checkup, visit our website.