Weight Loss Diet Fights Periodontal Disease

When we think of all the health benefits of dieting and eating a healthy weight loss diet, most of our attention is on the fact that we will be shedding body fat. The amazing thing is that a well-balanced diet designed to help you lose weight will also make your organs and other parts of your body become stronger and healthier. There is no end to the benefits of eating a healthier diet it seems, and one of these benefits is a brighter smile.

Eating a healthy weight loss diet not only helps you to lose weight, but it makes your teeth and gums healthier, helping you to fight periodontal disease.

While many people do not connect their dental health to weight loss, the two are linked more closely than one might think. With each healthy eating habit comes health throughout the body, leading to health not only in terms of pounds lost, but also in dental health. With a healthy weight loss diet, a person can fight periodontal disease (gum disease), both now and in the future.

One of the first things a dieter will do when they want to promote healthy weight loss is to stop eating sweets – and teeth couldn’t be happier. When a person eats sweets, the saliva in the mouth starts to digest the treat, but if a person is not able to brush their teeth right away, this sugar will stay on the teeth, causing decay. This is especially the case when a person likes to eat sticky candies, like caramels or taffy. These treats can be difficult to remove from the teeth and lead to periodontal diseases.

By cutting out, or at least restricting, sweets in the diet, not only can this mean fewer trips to the dentist, but it also means fewer calories in the everyday eating plan. But since many people still crave sweets, it’s best to turn to fruits and sweet vegetables for those cravings. With less calories and natural sugars, they are less likely to harm the teeth and cause periodontal disease.

Another common diet trend for people who are dieting is that they will consume more low fat dairy as a part of their diet and the teeth and jaw bone will benefit immensely. Calcium in dairy products has been linked with a faster rate of fat loss, while also helping to build strong bones and teeth. The calcium can help to refortify weaker teeth, while also helping to make the jaw bone stronger, which wards off periodontal disease.

Linked to the utilization of calcium in the body is our friend, the sunshine vitamin, Vitamin D. Many dairy products are now fortified with Vitamin D, which is good for your teeth because it helps your body to use the calcium you are giving it. Of course, another great way to get your Vitamin D is to head outside without sunscreen for a few minutes each day. Those trying to lose weight often do this naturally when they go out for their daily exercise, soaking in the sun and increasing the teeth and bone-strengthening levels of Vitamin D in the bloodstream (Vitamin D may also help promote weight loss – read the article “The Link Between Vitamin D and Weight Loss“).

Finally, a high fiber diet is often recommended when someone wants to lose weight as this helps to make the dieter feel fuller longer. But this fiber can also help to remove any plaque or other debris from between the teeth and improve the health of your gums. Since fibrous foods need to be chewed for longer periods of time, they can help to remove sugars from between the teeth, reducing the risk of cavities and other tooth decay issues that can lead to periodontal disease.

While losing weight may be the priority, a healthy smile is an added bonus. By simply changing a few basic eating habits to a more healthy weight loss diet, not only can the number on the scale do down, but so can the number of trips to the dentist. So all you dieters out there eating your fruits, veggies, proteins and fiber – give a big smile and show off your pearly whites.

Other Related Posts and Articles you May Find Interesting: “Dairy Fats and Calcium Absorption”, “Daily Calcium Requirements”, “Lactose Intolerance” and “Healthy Milk Alternatives”.