POOR ORAL HEALTH IN CHILDHOOD ASSOCIATED WITH HEART DISEASE

The journal of American Medical Association published findings from a study finding that people that had oral infections like gum disease, cavities, were at risk for heart disease and stroke later in life as adults. Researchers in Helsinki follow 755 people from age 8 and again 27 years later. Children with four signs of of oral infections (bleeding, cavities,filings or pockets around teeth) were 95% more likely to

develop thickening of the artery walls that those with none. Even children who only had one sign of oral infection were 87% more likely to develop artery damage. It was worse for boys where they found a whopping 125% increased risk !