Can a Clean Mouth Help With Weight Loss?

Can brushing and flossing regularly help you with the battle for weight loss? Surprisingly, a clean mouth may help shed a few pounds and here’s why:

  1. When you brush and floss regularly, you’ll cut down significantly on the amount of bacteria living in your mouth. Excessive oral bacteria leads to gum disease which causes inflammation. This body wide inflammatory response has been linked to stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and even death. Any of these health complications can make it more difficult for you to work out and lose weight. If you don’t have poor dental hygiene and thus have a decreased risk for these health complications, you’ll have more endurance and be able to work out more often in order to lose weight.
  2. Part of maintaining good oral health is keeping away from sugary snacks and drinks – fewer calories taken in, healthier teeth – and maybe even a few pounds lost.
  3. Brushing after meals helps you feel full. Really, it takes about 20 minutes for your brain to register that you are full, but usually we just keep eating. Get up after that meal, brush your teeth, and give your brain a chance to catch up with your stomach.

Any weight loss plan involves watching your diet and increasing your activity levels. Brushing and flossing alone won’t win the battle of the bulge but they can be one more tool in your weight loss toolbox.

Contact Rothfus Family Dental in Medford, OR today at 541-858-7994 to schedule your next dental hygiene visit.