Your Weight and Your Dental Health

Obesity in America has reached epidemic proportions. In fact, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, more than one third of Americans (35.7%) are obese. In 2008, the medical costs associated with obesity were estimated at 147 billion dollars. Being obese puts you at risk for a variety of serious medical problems including heart disease, stroke, Type II Diabetes and certain types of cancers.

So what does all this have to do with your dental health? The answer is that your dental health can have a large affect on your weight if you are wearing dentures to replace missing teeth. Because dentures are not able to exert the same PSI (pounds per square inch) as natural teeth, it can make many foods hard to chew and to properly digest. For this reason, many denture wearers are forced to change their diets to reduce or eliminate foods that are harder to chew. Unfortunately, these foods tend to be the ones that are rich in fiber and other important nutrients and are lower in fat and calories. When these foods are replaced with foods that are easier to chew but are less nutritious and contain higher amount of fats and calories, nutritional imbalances can occur. This can lead to obesity as well as other health problems including a decreased immune system.

Replacement teeth that are supported by dental implants allow you to enjoy a wide variety of nutritionally rich foods including whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes and more. They also enable patients to once again eat, smile, laugh and talk with confidence. You do not have to become a statistic! If you are currently wearing dentures and are being forced to change your diet, talk to an oral surgeon in your local area today about dental implants.