Regular brushing and flossing is vital for keeping teeth and gums healthy. Surprisingly, so is managing our weight. Case Western Reserve University researchers have found that the body is better at fighting gum disease when fat cells disappear.

Excess weight often triggers damaging inflammation throughout the body, and inflammation from gum disease can erode bone, lead to tooth loss and create fissures in the gums, allowing harmful oral bacteria to enter the bloodstream. Such bacteria have been linked to preterm births, fetal death, heart disease, diabetes and arthritis, according to Nabil Bissada, chair of the department of periodontics at the university’s School of Dental Medicine.