Long-term cardiovascular impact of childhood oral health

Investigators may have uncovered a link between poor oral health in childhood and the incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease later in life.

In a study published in the International Journal of Cardiology, the investigators used a nationwide Danish cohort study involving more than 550,000 participants born between 1963 and 1972 to analyze the relationship between dental caries and gingivitis in childhood and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in adulthood.

More severe dental caries, higher gingivitis scores and moderate to severe levels of oral disease and oral health deterioration during childhood were both found to increase the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease during adulthood.

The results of the study represented the potential benefits of early oral health interventions in mitigating the risks of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Read more: International Journal of Cardiology

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