MONDAY, Aug. 29, 2005 (HealthDay News) -- Heart-healthy habits are also good for your oral health, new research shows.
According to a study published in the current issue of the Journal of Periodontology, people who exercise, have healthy eating habits and maintain a normal weight are 40 percent less likely to develop periodontitis, a gum infection that can result in loss of teeth.
The researchers from Case Western Reserve University drew their conclusion from analysis of 12,110 individuals who participated in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a cross-section survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics.
Researchers concluded that exercise helps reduce inflammation throughout the body, while healthy eating habits build the body's defenses against disease and reduce the production of plaque.
Until now, brushing and flossing were the only health behaviors that had been identified as helping to prevent periodontitis.
Experts say that more than 30 percent of the population suffers from periodontitis, an infection that can lead to heart disease, diabetes and pre-term labor.
More information
The National Institutes of Health has more about periodontitis.
