More teeth translate to reduced risk of obesity. That’s the new finding of a recent study by Rutgers Health on analyzing records of 1,765 adults. The analysis showed that people with at least 21 teeth were more likely to maintain healthy body weights compared to people with fewer teeth.
The study showed that every missing tooth contributed to a 2% increase in the risk of obesity. On the other hand, every missing pair of opposing molars translated to a 7% increase in the likelihood of obesity.
To examine how teeth count relates to body mass index (BMI), researchers applied statistical techniques that considered age, sex, and pre-existing health issues. Almost 72% of the individuals who took part were either overweight or obese.
The average number of teeth left was 20, slightly below the minimum of 21 required for effective chewing, although 45% of the participants had at least 21 teeth. Unlike the molars, which play a crucial role in chewing, the incisors at the front are mainly used for breaking food and do not have as much impact on weight status as the molars do. There was no clear link between the number of sets of incisors, which are typically lost after the molars, and BMI.
According to Rena Zelig, the increased risk of obesity with reduced tooth count has to do with the fact that most healthy foods are hard to eat when one does not have a proper dentition. A potential reason could be that when individuals, particularly the elderly, lack teeth and face challenges in chewing, they turn to simpler-to-consume but less nutritious options such as mashed potatoes, cookies, or doughnuts. These items are usually rich in calories, fat, and sugar, leading to an increase in weight.
For people who are not able to replace their missing teeth, dentists can advise them on healthy foods that they can eat to stay clear of weight-related issues. For instance, vegetables can be added to a soup or stew, and fruit can be added to a smoothie.