Did you know your teeth and body weight have something in common? It is about as unlikely a connection as you could imagine, but there may actually be a link between obesity and your dental health.

A new study from the Journal of Dental Research investigated the relationship between inflammation and gum disease in mice, and they discovered that inflammation caused by obesity increased the expansion of immune cells, which increased the risk of bone loss caused by gum disease.

The study looked at two groups of mice who were fed different diets for four months total. One group of mice was given a diet high in fat, while the other was given a diet lower in fat.

What was interesting about the study's findings is that the high-fat group not only had more cases of obesity and inflammation, but also had higher counts of cells that can develop into what are known as osteoclasts, which break down bone tissue. This group also had more bone loss in the mouth region.

In other words, this study concluded that the increase of immune cells caused by obesity-related inflammation can possibly lead to bone loss in the mouth. Dental bone loss can become a serious issue, as it may ultimately lead to the loss of teeth and is often associated with gum disease.

These findings are promising toward a link between obesity and bone loss, however, since it was performed on mice, much more research needs to be done before anything can be confirmed about the connection in the human body.

Get even more nutrition news in your inbox by signing up for our newsletter. After, read these next:

• These 5 Drinks Cause the Worst Teeth Stains, Dental Surgeon Says
• This One Ingredient Naturally Whitens Coffee-Stained Teeth, New Study Says
• Secret Side Effects of Obesity, Says Science

The post The Alarming Way Obesity is Linked to Your Dental Health, New Study Says appeared first on Eat This Not That.

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By: Samantha Boesch
Title: The Alarming Way Obesity is Linked to Your Dental Health, New Study Says
Sourced From: www.eatthis.com/news-obesity-linked-dental-health-study/
Published Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2021 13:14:18 +0000

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