Could Your Mouth, Not The Food You Put Into It Be The Secret To The Size Of Your Waistline?

Main Category: Dentistry
Article Date: 13 Jul 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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Oral healthcare could hold the key to beating obesity according to new dental research*. The UK's leading oral health charity has reminded the public of the importance of good dental hygiene after studies published in the June's Journal of Dental Research revealed further potential systemic links between oral health and overall health.

The British Dental Health Foundation has long campaigned on the importance of oral healthcare. Now scientists have suggested bacteria in our mouths could play a direct part in causing obesity.

Studies of over 500 women, 300 of whom were clinically obese, found that of 40 kinds bacteria tested one species - selenomonas noxia - was present at levels of more than 1% of total bacteria in 98% of the overweight group. This bacteria has previously been linked with the development of gum disease.

Further research will now investigate the importance of these infectionary agents as indicators of and potential causes of obesity.

Foundation chief executive Dr Nigel Carter said: "Though this information represents very early stages of research it is another fascinating example of the potential overall health links related to our oral health.

"It is uncertain whether people may become obese due to changes in the bacteria in their mouths or whether these changes occur as a result of obesity. What impact changing the bacterial make up may have on helping to reduce obesity is certainly worth additional research.

"There are hundreds of bacteria in our mouths at any one time, contributing to the most common dental hygiene issue - gum disease.

"Alongside posing risks of causing tooth loss if left unchecked, gum disease has been linked to heart disease, diabetes and premature births.

"Our advice to the public is to take simple steps to best look after your oral health by brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste, cutting down on sugary snacks and drinks which harm you oral health and visit the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend."

The Foundation's annual National Smile Month campaign is the world's largest oral healthcare event and this year focused on these oral systemic links.

Education on dental hygiene and preventive care was recently highlighted as a key part of the future of NHS dentistry in the independent Steele Review looking at the UK's oral healthcare plans.

*Citation:
"Is Obesity an oral bacterial disease?"
Goodson, J., Groppo, D. et al
Journal of Dental Research, June 2009.

Source
The British Dental Health Foundation