Childhood Oral Infections Increase Risk Of Heart Diseases In Adulthood

One of the most common issues that parents face with regards to their children is getting them to regularly brush their teeth. Most kids just don’t seem to find brushing teeth exciting and try to get out of it at every opportunity.



However, recent studies have concluded that parents have every right to be concerned as childhood dental infections increase your risk of developing heart disease in adulthood.

What does the research say?

The research that has caused an alarm among parents was conducted at the University of Helsinki in collaboration with The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns. The study began in 1980 and involved 755 young Finns aged 6, 9 and 12 old.


A follow-up in 2007 revealed that over 70% children who develop oral problems such as gingivitis (gum inflammation) and periodontitis (gum disease) were at a high risk of developing heart disease.

The main reason for the increased risk was that during an oral infection, bacteria spread directly through the bleeding gums and saliva. These bacteria get in the system through saliva and increase the risk of developing heart disease.

The importance of good oral hygiene

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in America with more than 80 million Americans suffering from some sort of heart disease.


It’s imperative that parents take children to regular dentist appointments and teach them good oral hygiene habits at a young age to reduce their risk of heart disease in adulthood.


Regular visits to respected dental centers ensure that children maintain their oral hygiene. Children with good oral hygiene tend to have lower blood pressure, and controlled glucose and cholesterol levels.

How to make brushing more fun for kids?

  • Make up a reward system so that children feel excited about brushing their teeth
  • Take them shopping for toothbrushes and let them pick out their favorite
  • Add music to their brushing routine
  • Develop fun brushing games that children will enjoy
  • Show them fun videos about brushing
  • Brush with your children and lead by example
The importance of good oral hygiene cannot be underestimated, especially in light of this study. While many children do seem to shy away from brushing, there are various ways to ensure that they still don’t neglect their oral hygiene.

Oral hygiene begins at home, but it’s important to take your children to regular dentist appointments. Whenever it’s time for your children’s next dental exam, call us at (301) 353-8890 and schedule an appointment with our dental specialists at Advanced Dental Center. We offer premium preventive dental services at affordable prices to patients in Germantown.

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