Bad Dental Health in Childhood Linked to Heart Disease

Brush Up: The body is interconnected in funny ways. A stressful week in the office can lead to gut issues. A slight pronation in your foot can lead to back trouble. And, according to new research, poor dental health in childhood correlated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. 

The Study: Researchers examined data collected and tracked for up to 23 years from a cohort of nearly 569,000 Danish people born between 1963 and 1972. They found that the more severe their childhood cavities and gingivitis, the higher their risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Female participants with severe cavities as kids had a 45% higher incidence of ASCVD, and males had a 32% higher incidence.

The Takeaway: It’s well established that regular brushing and flossing are good for the heart, as they can prevent infection. Poor dental hygiene is also associated with high blood pressure, thickening of artery walls, and systemic inflammation, likely due to the body’s inflammatory immune response to dental infections. 

Keep in Mind: The findings weren’t causal, and the data didn’t account for other factors, such as adult dental hygiene, smoking, and obesity, which are linked to poor oral and heart health outcomes.