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New research finds kids with poor dental hygiene and untreated cavities face a higher chance of developing hardened arteries and cardiovascular issues as adults. Neglected cavities and gum disease in childhood may drive artery plaque buildup.
It is estimated that between 40% and 60% of U.S. children ages 6–9 have experienced tooth decay in baby or permanent teeth. When oral bacteria travel to the heart, they spark inflammation, potentially leading to gingivitis and increased immune system sensitivity.
Researchers examined data from nearly 570,000 children born in the 1960s -70s, tracking them into middle age and linking it to cardiovascular disease records in the National Patient Register through 2018.
The findings revealed that children with many cavities had up to 45% higher rates of adult-onset atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with more than 10,000 men and nearly 6,000 women receiving such diagnoses over the study period. Meanwhile, the risk climbed as dental problems continued to deteriorate during childhood years.
Gingivitis may seem like a routine adult problem to most, but its association with heart disease risk in kids three decades later is profoundly different. Children whose dental health steadily declined faced the highest heart disease odds later in life.
The findings emphasize that diligent brushing and flossing to prevent poor oral health is a crucial practice that can cut systemic inflammation and protect long-term health.
To view the original scientific study click below:
Childhood oral health is associated with the incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in adulthood
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