Obesity + Disease + Teeth

Researchers analyzed data from almost 37,000 men who were free of reported periodontal disease at the start of follow-up, and we followed them for up to 16 years (1986-2002).

The study, which controlled for age, smoking, race, dental profession, physical activity, fruit and vegetable intake, and diabetes status - showed a 29% increased risk of periodontal disease in those with BMI's over 30, compared to normal weight individuals.

Obese adults are at higher risk of gum disease than are normal-weight people, a new study finds.

For many years, researchers have been trying to determine the link between gum disease and cardiovascular risk, said study author Monik Jimenez, a doctoral candidate at the Harvard School of Public Health.

To explore the possible connection between excess weight and periodontal problems, Jimenez and her colleagues analyzed data from nearly 37,000 men who participated in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. They were free of periodontal disease at the beginning of the study and were followed for up to 16 years, from 1986 to 2002.

Researchers gathered information on the men’s height, weight and self-reported gum disease diagnoses, as well as their waist and hip measurements.

“Obesity was associated with a 29 percent increased risk of periodontal disease over the course of the study” compared to those of normal weight, Jimenez said. She used the standard definition of obesity as a body-mass index of 30 or higher.

“There was a negligibly small risk” of gum disease among those who were overweight but not obese, she said.
Waist circumference was linked to a higher risk of gum disease, too. Men with a waist of 40 inches or more — considered a risk for heart disease — had a 19 percent higher risk of getting gum disease than those with a waist under 40 inches.

In a second study, Jimenez and her colleagues at the University of Puerto Rico in San Juan found that an elevated waist-hip ratio (WHR) was linked to a greater risk of moderate gum disease in men and women age 70 and above.

Source : http://4pack.wordpress.com/2009/04/06/ideal-weight-obesity-increases-risk-of-periodontal-disease/

Dhiela says : Dentist is the most non-popular person on earth ... thinking off those pliers , machines , pain and all those things related to toothache or dentist will be able to put even the most powerful person in his company to giggling knees when its time to see dentist ...