By IANS,
Washington: Obese people might be at the risk of developing gum disease, says a study.
Impacting approximately one-third of the US population, obesity is a significant health concern for Americans, according to Science Daily.
It is a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain forms of cancer, and now, according to an article published in the journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), it also may be a risk factor for gum disease.
Researchers suspect a link exists between obesity and gum disease.
Obese individuals’ bodies relentlessly produce cytokines, proteins with inflammatory properties.
“These cytokines may directly injure the gum tissues or reduce blood flow to the gum tissues, thus promoting the development of gum disease,” said Charlene Krejci, lead author of the article.
A research on the relationship between obesity and gum disease still continues.
“Whether one condition is a risk factor for another or whether one disease directly causes another has yet to be discovered,” said AGD spokesperson Samer G. Shamoon.